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Inventions That Shook the World

Go on a decade-by-decade voyage of discovery through life-changing inventions, like the radio that made the world smaller, the machine gun that made it more dangerous, or the parking meter that made it more expensive. Witness the discovery and creation of billion-dollar inventions and financial disasters - all players in the most innovative century the world has ever known.

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Cast & Crew See All

Mark DeNicola
Fessenden's Assistant
Steve Herringer
Narrator
Christopher O'Neill
Officer John Larson

Season 1 Episode Guide See All

Episode 1

1900s

46 mins

The first decade of the 1900s ushers in crucial inventions that will help shape the rest of the century. Communication gets a boost as a voice is transmitted wirelessly by radio for the first time. Shaving gets a new edge with the appearance of the safety razor blade. The first air conditioner takes the misery out of extreme heat and humidity. The vacuum cleaner stops rugs and carpets from taking a beating, and two brothers, the Wright Borthers, apply their skills as bicycle mechanics to build and fly the world's first airplane.

Where to Watch
Inventions That Shook the World, Season 1 Episode 1 image

Awards

  • 2013 - Canadian Screen Award - Best Production Design or Art Direction in a Non-Fiction Program or Series - winner
  • 2013 - Canadian Screen Award - Barbara Sears Award for Best Visual Research - nominated

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