Machines!
Machines! is a detailed, entertaining and "wow-fact" half-hour on how machines work. By using photo-real computer animation we are able to go where no camera can fit, or even survive. Entertaining, engaging and easy-to-understand commentary untangles complex design and engineering for all ages, while having some fun along the way.
- 2010-2011
- 1 season
- Documentary
Machines! is a detailed, entertaining and "wow-fact" half-hour on how machines work. By using photo-real computer animation we are able to go where no camera can fit, or even survive. Entertaining, engaging and easy-to-understand commentary untangles complex design and engineering for all ages, while having some fun along the way.
Season 1 Episode Guide
13 Episodes 2010 - 2011
Episode 1
Coal-Fired Power Plant/Rollarcoaster/Telescope/Bowling Pinsetter
Mon, Mar 1, 2010 21 mins
A coal burning power plant turns coal into explosive dust; a mega-rollercoaster scares us while keeping us alive; A binocular telescope cuts through the haze for sharper-than-ever galactic pictures; a pin-setting robot cleans up behind the scenes.
Episode 2
Solar Power Plant/Hydrogen-Powered Bicycle/Escalator/Tattoo Machine
22 mins
A coal burning power plant turns coal into explosive dust; a mega-rollercoaster scares us while keeping us alive; A binocular telescope cuts through the haze for sharper-than-ever galactic pictures; a pin-setting robot cleans up behind the scenes.
Episode 3
Rally Car/Town Hall Clock/Canal Lift Lock/Offset Printing Press
22 mins
An indestructible rally car is built for speed and spills; A high volume, high speed offset printer delivers 80 pages a second; A lift lock hauls a dozen boats 90 feet up, with no fuel or electricity; An eleven story tower clock and what makes it tick.
Episode 4
Rally Car/Town HallFerris Wheel/Jet Ski/Hoover Dam/Traffic Light
22 mins
London Eye Ferris wheel- 800 riders, 40 stories high; Slung low and mean, jet ski prototype "Samba" lets beginners stunt like the pros; Hoover Dam- the inner workings of hydro electric power; urban traffic light and the networks that drive it
Episode 5
Industrial Loom/Aerial Vehicle/Logging Machine/Hovercraft
21 mins
A logging machine that cuts and stacks 4,000 trees a day; a hovercraft is redesigned into a rescue vehicle; a high-speed industrial loom weaves thread 2,000 times a minute; a remote controlled microdrone takes pictures and lands on its own.
Episode 6
Stunt Plane/Tug Boat/Carousel
Fri, Apr 2, 2010 21 mins
The Russian built Sukoi aerobatic stunt plane is built to withstand near-deadly G-force; A tug boat digs into water to wrangle ships a thousand times its size; the mechanical monster beneath the story book facade of the fairground carousel.
Episode 7
Search & Rescue Boat/Vacuum Toilet/Hybrid Car/Reinvented Zeppelin
Fri, Apr 9, 2010 21 mins
Coast Guard's Search and Rescue boat self-rights after capsizing; Aircraft Cabin pressure drives the vacuum toilet; A mass produced hybrid electric car depends on its power split device to make it work; the high performance Zeppelin makes a comeback.
Episode 8
Thames Flood Barrier/Electric Locomotive/Gas Pump/Photo-Finish Camera
Fri, Apr 16, 2010 22 mins
Thames Flood barrier protects London from storm surges; diesel-electric locomotive is a rolling electrical generator; Self-serve gas pump mixes octane, measures fuel and presents bill; When stakes are high, all bets look to the photo finish camera.
Episode 9
All Terrain Vehicle/Car Wash/Elevator/ATM
Fri, Apr 23, 2010 21 mins
The largest-ever engine on an ATV; A tunnel-style car wash that washes your car, protects its paint job, all on a cup of water; Elevator's safety brake; how the ATM sizes you up, checks your bank and hands over your money.
Episode 10
Water Bomber/Combine Harvester/Wind Tunnel/50 Cal Machine Gun
Fri, Apr 30, 2010 21 mins
Water bomber drops 8 tons of water a second; Corn harvester gathers, shucks and strips corn off its cob at four million kernels a minute; wind tunnel storm-testing a scale model skyscraper before its built; 50-cal machine gun smashes concrete and steel
Episode 11
Helicopter/3D Printer/Segway/Streetcar
Thu, May 6, 2010 22 mins
A powerful helicopter conquers the thin air of Everest; a 3-D printer creates a real plastic model of the image its fed; Segway's three-inch brain keeps you from falling; An electric tram uses its braking system to help power another vehicle
Episode 12
Cement Plant/Airport Fire Truck/Passenger Ferry
Thu, May 13, 2010 21 mins
Cement Plant, Airport Fire Truck, Passenger Ferry
Episode 13
Assault Vehicle/Mining Drill/Stirling Engine/Recycling Sorting Machine
Thu, May 20, 2010 22 mins
Red Bore-the biggest drill out there-drills from the bottom up;Light Assault Vehicle packs infantry and their ammo into hot spots;Recycling plant sorts, separates and shreds recyclables;200 year old Stirling Engine with new ways to provide heat and power.