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Modern Marvels Season 14 Episodes
Season 14 Episode Guide
41 Episodes 2008 - 2009
Episode 1
Milk
Mon, Jan 7, 2008 60 mins
Milk and dairy products are examined. Included is a trip to a dairy farm to observe the milking process and pasteurization. Also: yak milk; an enormous butter churn; and a segment on yogurt.
Episode 2
Carbon
Mon, Jan 14, 2008 60 mins
Carbon and its many uses is the subject. Included: its use in Pennsylvania steel mills and North Dakota coal-fired power plants. Also: pencils; charcoal water filters; and diamond saw blades.
Episode 3
90s Tech
Thu, Feb 7, 2008 60 mins
The technology of the '90s is examined. Included: DVDs, TIVO, GPS and virtual-pet toys; what it takes to create a search engine on the Internet. Also: George Foreman discusses his grill.
Episode 4
Superhighways
Thu, Feb 28, 2008 60 mins
The world's superhighways are examined. Included: "The High Five," a 12-story-high interchange in Dallas; a highway expansion project in Houston; China's National Trunk Highway System. Also: a video game used for training highway-emergency personnel.
Episode 5
World's Strongest III
Thu, Mar 6, 2008 60 mins
Some of the strongest things in the world are examined. Included: an elevator that lifts jets aboard the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier; and another elevator that lifts acrobats to the stage of a Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas; the strongest tire, used to support a mine vehicle; a mountain bike; and a land-transport vehicle at the Kennedy Space Center that carries the space shuttle.
Episode 6
Strange Weapons
Mon, Mar 10, 2008 60 mins
Unusual weapons, both lethal and nonlethal, are examined. Included: microwave-like rays that produce the sensation of being burned; plane and truck-mounted laser weapons; armed robots; a BB gun that fires pain-inducing pellets; flashing devices that cause vomiting; and a slippery slime.
Episode 7
Alaskan Fishing
Sun, Mar 16, 2008 60 mins
The Alaskan fishing industry is examined as fisherman on the Bering Sea are followed on the last voyage of the season, during which pollock are caught and flash frozen aboard the vessel while the crew deals with harsh conditions and the dangers of the job.
Episode 8
Whiskey
Mon, Mar 17, 2008 60 mins
A history of whiskey includes a tour of famous distilleries to see how the spirit is made. Manufacturers include Jack Daniels, Jim Beam and Canadian Club. Also: Jameson, in Ireland; and Glenlivet, in Scotland.
Episode 9
Bread
Mon, Mar 24, 2008 60 mins
A history of bread includes its many variations and methods of preparation throughout the world.
Episode 10
Gadgets 3
Fri, Apr 4, 2008 60 mins
Exploring trends in gadgets and how they evolve. Included: miniature, mobile gadgets; the origins of the corkscrew, umbrella and zipper. Also: a tour of Brookstone; and visits with inventors.
Episode 11
Locomotives
Mon, Apr 7, 2008 60 mins
A history of locomotives. Included: France's TVG train, the fastest locomotive in the world; trains that guide ships through the Panama Canal; and mining locomotives. Also: two locomotives are observed crashing head on during safety tests; and locomotives are lubricated in an enormous maintenance shop.
Episode 12
Rats
Wed, Apr 30, 2008 60 mins
Examining rats and mankind's love-hate relationship with the rodent that has carried disease, but also helped save lives in lab experiments. Included: a rat-breeding facility; the work of a Terminex exterminator; the Hacco Inc. rodenticide plant; the Xtreme Rat Challenge; and the annual American Fancy Rat and Mouse show.
Episode 13
Mad Electricity
Wed, May 14, 2008 60 mins
Examining the visionary and pioneering work of inventor Nikola Tesla (1856-1943), focusing on his contributions in electrical engineering and particularly his work in alternating-current electricity, the present standard. Included: a demonstration of a Tesla coil; his other inventions, including energy-efficient lightbulbs.
Episode 14
Axes
Fri, May 30, 2008 60 mins
The history of the ax. Included: a tour of an ax-manufacturing company to watch the ax-making process; a visit with an ax collector; and a look at competitive lumberjacks. Also: the Viking battle-ax; and the Native American tomahawk.
Episode 15
Most Dangerous
Fri, Jun 6, 2008 60 mins
Highly dangerous things are explored, including the deadliest snake in the U.S.; tornadoes; and Washington's Mount Rainier.
Episode 16
Super Hot
Mon, Jun 9, 2008 60 mins
A study of extreme temperatures. Included: A life-size mannequin is exposed to temperatures above 1000 degrees; geologists take lava samples from Kilauea volcano in Hawaii; and scientists heat plasma to over 200 million degrees. Also: a visit to Underwriters Laboratories to watch malfunctioning blow dryers and coffeemakers melt.
Episode 17
Corpse Tech
Fri, Jun 20, 2008 60 mins
Technology used by coroners and forensic anthropologists to both saves lives and catch murderers is examined. Included: a visit to the University of Tennessee Forensic Anthropology Facility, also known as the "Body Farm" where decomposing bodies are studied.
Episode 18
Ice Cream
Mon, Jun 23, 2008 60 mins
A history of ice cream examines its origins, various adaptations and related products. Included: visits to the Dreyer's factory; TCBY to learn about frozen yogurt; the Joy Cone Company to watch cones being made; and to Ben & Jerry's to see how new flavors are created.
Episode 19
Bathroom Tech II
Mon, Jun 30, 2008 60 mins
Bathroom technology is examined. Included: a visit to Kohler to see a digitally controlled shower that has music and chromatherapy features; a look at American Standard's Champion 4 toilet, which is marketed as being unclogable. Also: low-flow showers and toilets; touch-free fixtures; and futuristic toilets from Japan.
Episode 20
Crashes
Thu, Jul 10, 2008 60 mins
Crashes of all forms, both subatomic and in space, accidental and planned, are explored. Included: efforts to make professional auto racing safer; a visit to a motorcycle crash-test facility; an interview with a skydiver who survived a crash; a visit with a NASA asteroid-tracking team. Also: how scientists make subatomic particles collide.
Episode 21
Underwear
Thu, Jul 17, 2008 60 mins
A history of underwear examines how it has evolved over the last 100 years. Included: a trip to a Jockey factory to watch men's briefs being made. Also: fire-retardant underwear; material that helps athletic performance; socks that get rid of foot odor; and underwear that keeps race-car drivers cool.
Episode 22
Coin Operated
Thu, Jul 24, 2008 60 mins
The history of coin-operated machines is examined. Included: pinball machines; a gumball machine that holds 40,000 gumballs; and Coinstar. Also: a trip to Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum in Farmington Hills, Mich.
Episode 23
Secrets of Oil
Thu, Jul 31, 2008 60 mins
A history of oil and its many uses and by-products are examined. Included: a tour of Vulcan Materials to see how asphalt is made; the Rolls-Royce Aerospace facility where jet-engine fuel is created; and a California oil refinery. Also: the invention of Vaseline.
Episode 24
Iron
Thu, Aug 14, 2008 60 mins
A history of iron includes a trip to Minnesota mines to observe how iron ore is extracted and transformed into steel. Also: modern weapons; ink and paint made from iron oxide; super magnets; and iron mining in space.
Episode 25
Wheat
Thu, Aug 21, 2008 60 mins
A history of wheat includes a harvester journey from Texas to North Dakota; the observation of workers during harvesting season; a tour of a pasta plant. Also: the making of beer from wheat; the use of wheat in the making of a variety of nonedible products, such as eating utensils, combs, drumsticks and yo-yos.
Episode 26
Dangerous Roads
Thu, Aug 28, 2008 60 mins
Dangerous roads throughout the world are examined, including Bolivia's "Death Road" and Highway 99 in California. Also: a visit to the Federal Highway Administration's safety-test laboratory.
Episode 27
Mold & Fungus
Thu, Sep 18, 2008 60 mins
Examining fungal organisms, both within bodies and outside, and both beneficial and hazardous. Included: a visit to a mushroom farm; and a look at the ways scientists are experimenting with fungi as a fuel source and to clean up hazardous waste.
Episode 28
Lead
Thu, Oct 9, 2008 60 mins
Lead is the subject. Included: the mining and refining of the toxic metal; the manufacture of a battery from pure lead. Also: a look at a team devoted to the safe removal of harmful lead products from homes and businesses; and the use of lead in the making of crystal.
Episode 29
Corrosion and Decomposition
Mon, Oct 13, 2008 60 mins
Corrosion and decomposition are examined, especially with regard to the U.S. infrastructure. Included: a Missouri company that rebuilds corroded sewer pipes from the inside; a General Motors initiative to reduce corrosive road salt; and a bioreactor in Florida that transforms garbage into methane gas.
Episode 30
Bull's-eye
Mon, Oct 20, 2008 60 mins
Projectile accuracy is explored. Included: the LAPD's sharp shooters; Army snipers; the Phoenix Mars Lander; pool experts.
Episode 31
Halloween Tech
Mon, Oct 27, 2008 60 mins
Halloween-related technology is examined. Included: professional monster makeup; latex-mask production; jack-o'-lantern carving; fake blood; a popular haunted-house attraction.
Episode 32
The Horse
Wed, Nov 19, 2008 60 mins
Horse facts and lore are reigned in and explored. Included: a trip to Lexington to examine the Thoroughbred-racing industry; a look at a Colorado prison that tries to improve the lives of inmates through a mustang-protection program; and a segment on horse meat as a dining delicacy.
Episode 33
The Turkey
Mon, Nov 24, 2008 60 mins
The turkey's role in American traditions and history is examined. Included: a tour of the Butterball factory in North Carolina; and a visit to a turkey restaurant in Indiana. Also: turkey recipes.
Episode 34
Salt
Mon, Dec 1, 2008 60 mins
A history of salt peppered with a tour of a salt mine below Lake Erie and a visit to a restaurant in Florida that offers 40 varieties of salt. Also: exploring the use of salt to deice roads in the winter.
Episode 35
Car Wash
Mon, Dec 8, 2008 60 mins
The car wash is the subject.
Episode 36
Retro Tech
Fri, Dec 19, 2008 60 mins
Items considered obsolete, such as typewriters, VCRs, analog TVs, film cameras and albums, are examined. Included: a trip to the Houston Chronicle to compare the printed paper with the online edition; a comparison between a classic 1968 Mustang and the 2009 model; and a tour of Rainbow Records in Van Nuys, Cal., to examine the renewed interest in albums.
Episode 37
Super Human
Mon, Dec 22, 2008 60 mins
Technology that allows physical feats beyond normal human limits is explored. Included: an exoskeleton that enables a person to effortlessly lift hundreds of pounds; a man in England who can control machines through thought. Also: the creation of artificial muscles that are far stronger than human muscles.
Episode 38
Measure It
Tue, Dec 23, 2008 60 mins
Measurement technology is examined. Included: a visit to San Diego's SeaWorld to learn how whales are weighed; a trip to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to see how measurement standards are set. Also: the inner workings of a speedometer.
Episode 39
Night
Fri, Dec 26, 2008 60 mins
Nighttime technology and activities are examined. Included: squid fishing off the coast of California; night-crawler collecting in Toronto; military training using night-vision goggles; pyrotechnic displays; and stadium lighting.
Episode 40
Batman Tech
Wed, Jul 8, 2009 60 mins
Examining the technology used by the fictional comic-book hero, what inspired some of the creations and whether they could be possible within the limits of modern science.
Episode 41
Star Wars Tech
Wed, Jul 22, 2009 60 mins
An examination of the used in the six "Star Wars" films considers the viability of building a Death Star or an army of clones, and dueling with a light saber.