Modern Marvels Season 10 Episodes

Episode 1

Guns of the Russian Military

Fri, Jan 16, 2004

Episode 2

The F-15

Sat, Jan 17, 2004

Episode 3

Pacific Coast Highway

Wed, Feb 4, 2004

The history of the Pacific Coast Highway, which runs from California to Washington, includes comments by historians and engineers; and examines the technology that maintains the road through floods, earthquakes and landslides.

Episode 4

Gangster Guns

Thu, Feb 12, 2004

Episode 5

Racetrack Tech

Wed, Feb 18, 2004

Episode 6

Oil Fire Fighting

Wed, Jan 14, 2004

Oil-fire fighters, their history and the technology they employ are examined.

Episode 7

Command Central

Wed, Mar 17, 200444 mins

Located in the heart of the Middle East, 'Centcom' in Doha, Qatar represents everything a modern military command post can be with the most sophisticated information systems available-from video-conferencing to real-time frontline satellite communication.

Episode 8

Frontline Reporting

Fri, Mar 19, 2004

Episode 9

Nature's Engineers

Wed, Mar 31, 2004

A look at nature's greatest animal builders and the structures they create including beavers, ants, spiders, and birds.

Episode 10

Bible Tech

Wed, Apr 7, 2004

Bible Tech features the technology used by some Faith's greatest heroes. Featured are the Tower of Babel, Noah's Arc, Herod's Temple, and the methods used by the ancient civilizations in creating buildings, weapons, and other necessities.

Episode 11

The Power Grid

Wed, Apr 14, 2004

A look at the national U.S. power grid and the technology that keeps power running across the country.

Episode 12

Bathroom Tech

Wed, Apr 21, 2004

Episode 13

Engineering Disasters 6

Wed, Apr 28, 2004

A look at some of history's most notorious engineering failures. Included are the USMC's Harrier Attack jet, the Piper Alpha North Sea oil platform fire, the collapse of the Pleasants Power Station cooling tower in West Virginia, and the derailment of high speed train in Germany. Also include is a look at the various close calls that almost led to nuclear war.

Episode 14

The F-18 Hornet

Fri, Apr 30, 2004

One aircraft in the US arsenal best typifies the will to win. Using the latest and most sophisticated computerized technology, the F-18 Hornet is now one of the foremost fighters of the 21st Century.

Episode 15

Hydraulics

Wed, May 12, 2004

Episode 16

Plane Crashes

Wed, May 26, 2004

Episode 17

D-Day Tech

Thu, Jun 3, 2004

Episode 18

A-10 Tankbuster

Mon, Jun 7, 2004

Nicknamed the 'Warthog', the A-10 Tankbuster is one of the U.S. military's most prolific air support fighters. Focuses on its design, production, and life saving record on the battlefield.

Episode 19

Rubber

Wed, Jun 9, 2004

Episode 20

City Water

Tue, Jun 15, 2004

Episode 21

Greatest Movies Gadgets

Thu, Jun 17, 2004

Episode 22

Robots

Tue, Jul 6, 2004

The history of robots. From robot arm, to humanoid looking robots, through the advances in technology.

Episode 23

Nuclear Technology

Thu, Jul 8, 2004

Nuclear research ranges from well-known applications, such as bombs and reactors, to little-known uses in medicine, food preparation, and radiation detection. It's also spawned ancillary technologies to store nuclear waste and clean up accidents. Despite the risk of use and abuse for destructive purposes, many scientists remain optimistic about what's next for the atom. In an explosive hour, we explore the atom in war and peace, and the latest in nuclear power generation, safety, and security.

Episode 24

Distilleries

Wed, Aug 4, 2004

Episode 25

Apollo 11

Wed, Jul 21, 200445 mins

The historic 1969 flight of Apollo 11 is examined. Included: comments by astronauts, Mission Control personnel, engineers and designers.

Episode 26

World War I Tech

Fri, Jul 30, 2004

The technological advances pioneered during 'The Great War' are profiled.

Episode 27

Oil Tankers

Wed, Aug 11, 2004

Episode 28

Engineering Disasters 7

Wed, Sep 1, 2004

Featured disasters include the Northridge Earthquake of 1994, the Baldwin Hills Dam collapses, the Electra airliner, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge collapse, and the underground mine fire burning in Centralia, PA.

Episode 29

Extreme Aircraft

Wed, Aug 25, 2004

The history behind the most extraordinary planes ever built. They include the experimental X-Series planes, such as the X-1 , X-15, X-31, and the X-43. Also features supersonic stealth planes like the U-2, B-2, F-22, and the SR-71 Blackbird.

Episode 30

George Washington Bridge

Wed, Jul 28, 2004

Episode 31

Building a Skyscraper: The Skeleton

Mon, Sep 6, 2004

Episode 32

Building a Skyscraper: The Exterior

Mon, Sep 6, 2004

Episode 33

Building a Skyscraper: The Arteries

Tue, Sep 7, 200443 mins

Learn how development of electricity and indoor plumbing made skyscrapers possible as the veins and arteries of the California Department of Transportation headquarters in LA are installed.

Episode 34

Building a Skyscraper: The Human Environment

Tue, Sep 7, 200445 mins

In hour three of a crash course on mega-skyscraper construction, take a closer look at the human element involved in the development of systems like air conditioning and pressurized elevators.

Episode 35

The Sears Tower

Wed, Oct 13, 2004

At one point, the Sears Tower in Chicago was the tallest building in the world. While it has since been surpassed it is still a technological marvel that pioneered engineering techniques and changed how companies do business.

Episode 36

Police Pursuit

Wed, Sep 22, 2004

The history of police pursuits and the modern equipment used by the police to apprehend criminals.

Episode 37

St. Lawrence Seaway

Wed, Sep 15, 2004

Episode 38

St. Lawrence Tech

Wed, Sep 22, 2004

Episode 39

World's Biggest Machines 2

Wed, Sep 29, 2004

Episode 40

Engineering Disasters 8

Tue, Oct 5, 2004

Explosions of AP (a component in rocket fuel) at a PepCom AP plant in Henderson, Nevada. A section of the Mianus River bridge, a pin-and-hanger-bridge on Interstate 95 in Connecticut, collapsed dropping 4 vehicles into the river below. Ocean Ranger semi-submersible oil rig capsizes and sinks off the coast of Newfoundland killing all aboard. 1889 Johnstown Flood, killed 2,209 people, wiped the town off the map and was the worst 19th Century disaster in American history. Golfer Payne Stewart's private jet goes down for reasons still unknown.

Episode 41

Harvesting: Part 1

Wed, Oct 6, 200444 mins

Whatever the crop, there's a custom machine to harvest it. From the debut of the sickle in ancient Egypt to McCormick's famous Reaper to the field of ergonomics, we'll dig into the past and future of the harvest.

Episode 42

Engineering Disasters 9

Tue, Oct 12, 2004

Deadliest grain elevator explosion in the US caused by dust. A portion of the Schoharie Creek Bridge collapses with trucks & cars plunging into the river, due to erosion of the foundation by the river. The freighter Bright Field looses power heading into its New Orleans' port on the Mississippi River and crashes into the Riverwalk wharf. British R-101 airship disaster in 1930, resulted in 48 deaths and the ending of the British airship program. Sports arena roof failures. 1979 Rosemount Horizon arena's roof collapses during construction due to the construction crew failing to install all of the components.

Episode 43

Engineering Disasters 10

Tue, Oct 19, 2004

Explosions rock the town of Hitchinson, KS and cause fires and geysers of natural gas. The ship Porto Rican explodes and splits in two just outside of San Franciso's harbor, the cause is hydrogen gas and poor welding. The new Tropicana parking garage in New Jersey collapses while under construction, causing 4 deaths and 20+ injuries, and there were signs of problems earlier with cracking walls. Stalin's White Sea Canal, which would connect the city of Povenots on Lake Onega to Archangel on the White Sea and serve both civilian and military ships, was built using slave labor and primitive technology; in the end 25,000 died making it and it was too shallow for the military and many civilian vessels to use. An accident at the Union Carbide chemical plant in Bhopal, India, caused toxic MIC gas to be released into the surrounding slum community, leading to 3,800 deaths and 11,000 seriously disabled and it remains the worst industrial disaster in human history.

Episode 44

Presidential Movers

Wed, Oct 20, 2004

A look behind the airplanes, trains, cars, and helicopters used by the U.S. Government to safely move the President of the United States.

Episode 45

Gas Tech

Wed, Oct 20, 2004

Episode 46

Engineering Disasters 11

Tue, Oct 26, 2004

Disasters profiled are a liquid natural gas explosion in Cleveland, the collapse of the Kansas City Hyatt walkway, flooding of the Yangtze River in 1931, as well as sinkholes caused by sewer collapses in San Francisco and Atlanta. Also features the impacts of asbestos on the modern world.

Episode 47

M1 Abrams Supertank!

Fri, Oct 29, 2004

Episode 48

Engineering Disasters 12

Tue, Nov 9, 2004

Featured disasters and mishaps include the malfunctioning baggage carousel at the Denver International Airport, the Texas A&M bonfire, the M-4 Sherman tank, the 1993 Milwaukee Water Treatment disaster, and the collapse of the Skyline Plaza.

Episode 49

Surveillance Tech

Wed, Nov 10, 2004

Episode 50

Engineering Disasters 13

Tue, Nov 16, 200443 mins

Engineering disasters profiled in this episode include flaws in the Patriot Missle system, the Cocoanut Grove night club fire, a failed building demolition, the collapse of World Trade Center Building 7, and a toxic waste dump in Love Canal, NY.

Episode 51

Submarine Disasters

Wed, Nov 17, 2004

Episode 52

Engineering Disasters 14

Tue, Nov 23, 2004

Profiled are disasters involving a freeway ramp collapse, a fighter plane crash, a subway tunnel cave in, an explosion on an oil tanker, and a flash flood of molasses.

Episode 53

Washington Monument

Wed, Dec 1, 2004

Episode 54

Engineering Disasters 15

Tue, Nov 30, 200443 mins

Engineering disasters profiled include a flood in Chicago, tunnel fires in the Alpine, a riverboat explosion, a building collapse, and a plane crash.

Episode 55

Snack Food Tech

Wed, Dec 15, 2004

The story behind our favorite snack foods. They include potato chips, candy bars, pretzels, lollipops, and cupcakes among others.

Episode 56

Commercial Fishing

Tue, Dec 21, 2004

The positives and negatives of commercial fishing on the economy and nature are profiled. New England and Canadian fisheries help bring fish to Europe in Colonial times. A look at current practices in the Atlantic Ocean, a Bering Sea factory trawler and deep sea fish farms. Scientists work with fishermen on methods to curb over fishing and extinction thus ensuring the world's appetite for seafood will continue to be satisfied.

Episode 57

Dangerous Cargo 2

Wed, Dec 22, 2004

A look at some at how some more of the worlds most dangerous cargo is handled including nuclear medicine, wild animals, and the trucking of explosives set to be destroyed. Also includes a look a the Merchant Marines and Liberty Ships during World War II.

Episode 58

Engineering Disasters 16

Wed, Dec 8, 2004

Engineering Disasters: Gasoline explosion in a sewer pipe in Guadalajara, Mexico; Cargo door flies off of a 1974 flight over Paris resulting in over 300 deaths; The bursting of two mining damns in 1985 Italy, sees the town of Stava almost wiped off the face of the Earth; New London, Texas school explosion caused by natural gas, resulting in the death of 319 students & teachers; 1967 grounding of the Torrey Canyon tanker off the coast of England and the worlds' introduction to supertanker oil spills and problems with autopilot technology.

Episode 59

Doomsday Tech

Tue, Dec 28, 200444 mins

The first hour of a special two-hour Modern Marvels takes a close look at the technologies that could doom the human race... or save it. Threats include runaway global warming brought on by the burning of fossil fuels; global nuclear war triggered by the deteriorating Russian nuclear command and control ; a global collapse caused by the abrupt end of the oil economy; and even nanotechnology gone awry. Technological solutions include renewable energy breakthroughs including the latest in wind and solar, and the high-tech world of dismantling and monitoring nuclear weapons.

Episode 60

More Doomsday Tech

Wed, Dec 1, 200443 mins

Examine more threats - both natural and man-made - that may endanger civilization. From the far reaches of space to tiny viruses, doomsday sources are many, but so are technologies used to keep the chaos at bay.

Episode 61

Inviting Disaster: Three Mile Island

Tue, Oct 21, 2003

Episode 62

Panzers

Wed, Oct 22, 2003

Episode 63

The Luftwaffe

Wed, Oct 22, 2003

Episode 65

Inviting Disaster 2: The Kursk

Tue, Oct 28, 2003

Episode 66

FBI's Crime Lab

Wed, Oct 29, 2003

This episode is an overview of the, then new, FBI crime laboratory in Quantico Virginia. Coverage includes the DNA lab, Chemistry Unit, Hazaderous Response Team, Trace Evidence Unit, Firearms Unit, Explosives and many other aspects of the real CSI.

Episode 67

Inviting Disaster 4: Building Failures

Tue, Nov 4, 2003

Based on the popular book, this part explores historical building collapses--from ancient pyramids to the Cathedral at Beauvais to Kansas City's Hyatt Regency.

Episode 68

Inviting Disaster 3: Challenger and Columbia

Tue, Nov 4, 2003

A look into the destruction of Nasa's space shuttle Challenger in 1986 and Columbia in 2003.

Episode 69

Shipyards

Wed, Nov 5, 200344 mins

Examine the history of the shipyard from ancient days through the Industrial Revolution and Pearl Harbor. Will the craftsmanship and practical knowledge of ship-building disappear in the 21st century?

Episode 71

Extreme Trucks

Wed, Nov 12, 2003

A look at some of the most extreme trucks and their functions in everyday life.

Episode 72

ET Tech.

Tue, Nov 25, 2003

Episode 77

Tailgating

Wed, Dec 3, 2003

Episode 78

The Technology of Kitty Hawk

Wed, Dec 17, 2003

Episode 80

Egyptian Pyramids

Thu, Dec 18, 200343 mins

There are over 100 pyramids in Egypt. Built during a span of well over 1,000 years, they stand as cultural and engineering marvels of staggering proportions. They were constructed as tombs for the pharaohs of ancient Egypt.

Episode 81

The Berlin Wall

Fri, Dec 19, 2003

Episode 82

Toys

Tue, Dec 23, 2003

The history of some of our most beloved toys including Matchbox cars, G.I. Joes, Super Soakers, Lionel toy trains, Lincoln Logs, cap guns, and construction toys such as Legos and Erector sets.

Episode 83

Engineering Disasters 5

Tue, Dec 30, 2003