How Do They Do It?

2006•8 series•Entertainment / Factual
Available on QUEST HD
QUEST HD

After watching this series you may never look at ordinary objects in the same way again. A tube of toothpaste? Car tires? Tea bags? A lot of technology goes into even the simplest of consumer goods, and this program offers viewers a glimpse at just what that entails.

Aluminium Cans, Cuckoo Clocks, Paddleboards: Episode Image
Episode 1Aluminium Cans, Cuckoo Clocks, Paddleboards

How do they turn used aluminium cans into planes and rockets? Plus, how do they carve the traditional Black Forest cuckoo clock?(S14,E01)

Car Shredder, Sarees, Worcestershire Sauce: Episode Image
Episode 2Car Shredder, Sarees, Worcestershire Sauce

How do they build the ultimate car crushing colossus? Plus, how do Lea and Perrins concoct their Worcestershire sauce?(S14,E02)

Helmets, Tea, District Heating: Episode Image
Episode 3Helmets, Tea, District Heating

How do they harvest and treat the world's most expensive tea? Plus, how does the Siekierki power plant of Warsaw, Poland heat half the city's homes?(S14,E04)

Mardi Gras Floats, Rock Candy, Artificial Teeth: Episode Image
Episode 4Mardi Gras Floats, Rock Candy, Artificial Teeth

How do they build a float for New Orleans Mardi Gras parades? Plus, how do they stir, stretch and pull sugar to make rock candy?(S14,E03)

Royal Enfield, Art Fraud, Milk: Episode Image
Episode 5Royal Enfield, Art Fraud, Milk

An insider's look at how the classic British bike is made, how radiation can be used to take down crime and the process behind mechanised milk.(S14,E05)

Crash Testing, Delftware, Umbrellas: Episode Image
Episode 6Crash Testing, Delftware, Umbrellas

How do they blend science and destruction at crash test centres? And how do they piece together the complex mechanism of a pocket sized umbrella?(S14,E06)

Iron Ore, Wave Flume, Chandeliers: Episode Image
Episode 7Iron Ore, Wave Flume, Chandeliers

How do they extract iron ore from one of the most remote mines on the planet? And how do they make chandeliers that are fit for a queen?(S14,E07)

Oyster Knives, Stadium Lights, Diamonds: Episode Image
Episode 8Oyster Knives, Stadium Lights, Diamonds

How do they forge the blades to crack open oyster shells? Plus, how do scientists in a lab grow the synthetic diamonds of the future?(S14,E08)

Ford Transits, Driza-bone, Saltfish: Episode Image
Episode 9Ford Transits, Driza-bone, Saltfish

How do Ford produce the ubiquitous white van, the Transit? Plus, how do they ensure the Driza-bone coat lives up to its name?(S14,E10)

Cheddar Cheese, CPR Mannequins: Episode Image
Episode 10Cheddar Cheese, CPR Mannequins

How do they make cheddar, the world's most popular cheese? How do they breathe life into Rususci Anne – the plastic woman that teaches CPR?(S14,E09)

Wind Turbines, Car Tires, Mushrooms: Episode Image
Episode 13Wind Turbines, Car Tires, Mushrooms

How do they make wind turbines with twice the wingspan of a Boeing? Plus, how do they mould car tyres from the ooze of a tree?(S14,E13)

Ammo, Dental Drill, Road Markings: Episode Image
Episode 14Ammo, Dental Drill, Road Markings

How do they make the tank piercing super bullet? Plus, how do they forge the infamous torture weapon, the dentist's drill?(S14,E14)

Floating Power Stations: Episode Image
Episode 15Floating Power Stations

How do they make giant floating power stations that provide power around the world? Plus, how do they fabricate the world's smallest aircraft?(S14,E15)

Crayons, Mirrors, Chain-Less Bicycle: Episode Image
Episode 16Crayons, Mirrors, Chain-Less Bicycle

How do they create coloured crayons used by children and artists around the world? Plus, how are India's most treasured mirrors made?(S14,E16)

Recycled Concrete, Suits, Ovens: Episode Image
Episode 19Recycled Concrete, Suits, Ovens

A look at how old concrete is recycled into new roads, the hand tailored suits that are fit for 007 and the ovens that clean themselves. S14, Ep19

Fire Gloves Enamel: Episode Image
Episode 20Fire Gloves Enamel

How do they fabricate fire gloves for emergency services personnel? Plus, how do they create the enamel that is used in bake-wear around the world? S14, Ep20

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