How Do They Do It?

2006•5 series•Entertainment / Factual
Available on Disc.Science
Disc.Science

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.

Harris Tweed, Turntables and Hakarl: Episode Image
Episode 1Harris Tweed, Turntables and Hakarl

How do the islanders of the Outer Hebrides use pedal power to weave world-famous Harris tweed? And, in Iceland, how do they prepare fermented shark?(S15,E01)

Beds, Space Freighters and Underground Farms: Episode Image
Episode 2Beds, Space Freighters and Underground Farms

How do they make the world's most expensive and luxurious beds? And, how do they deliver supplies and equipment to the International Space Station?(S15,E02)

Borsalino Hats, Folding Bicycles and Skyr: Episode Image
Episode 3Borsalino Hats, Folding Bicycles and Skyr

How do they make the distinctive Borsalino hat worn by Indiana Jones? And, how do they make a bicycle which can fold up to a tenth the size of a regular bike?(S15,E03)

Stratocaster Guitars, Kalles Caviar and Aston Martin Racing: Episode Image
Episode 4Stratocaster Guitars, Kalles Caviar and Aston Martin Racing

How do they make the world's most famous electric guitar, the Fender Stratocaster? And, how do they make Swedish fermented cod roe Kalles caviar?(S15,E04)

Leaning Tower of Pisa, Eider Down and Digestive Biscuits: Episode Image
Episode 5Leaning Tower of Pisa, Eider Down and Digestive Biscuits

It's been tipping over for 800 years – what's the gravity-defying magic behind Pisa's leaning tower? And, how are chocolate digestive biscuits manufactured?(S15,E05)

Parchment, Shuttlecocks and Sea Salt: Episode Image
Episode 6Parchment, Shuttlecocks and Sea Salt

How did the ancient Greeks invent parchment with techniques still used today? And how do they make shuttlecocks, the fasting moving object in sport?(S15,E06)

Ballpoint Pens, Army Rations and Rush Mats: Episode Image
Episode 7Ballpoint Pens, Army Rations and Rush Mats

How do they make smooth writing ballpoint pens that don't leak or fade? And, how do they make pizza for soldiers on the frontline?(S15,E07)

Violins, Milk Deliveries and Pumice: Episode Image
Episode 8Violins, Milk Deliveries and Pumice

In Cremona, how do they make modern violins that sound as good as the legendary Stradivarius? And, how do they build houses with volcanic rock?(S15,E08)

Super Yachts, Space Suits and Katsuobushi: Episode Image
Episode 9Super Yachts, Space Suits and Katsuobushi

How does a Dutch company make the world's fastest superyachts? And, how do they make new space suits that weigh and cost the fifth of the previous design?(S15,E09)

Parma Ham, Underground Signs and Rowing Machines: Episode Image
Episode 10Parma Ham, Underground Signs and Rowing Machines

How is Parma ham, the most famous ham in the world, made? Plus, how do they make rowing machines, and how are the iconic London Underground signs made?(S15,E10)

Barra Airport, Sun-dried Tomatoes and Lederhosen: Episode Image
Episode 11Barra Airport, Sun-dried Tomatoes and Lederhosen

How do planes take off and land on a beach at one of the world's oldest airports? And, how do they hand-make the national dress of Bavaria, lederhosen?(S15,E11)

Lobster Fishing, Chesterfield Sofas and High-Definition Cameras: Episode Image
Episode 12Lobster Fishing, Chesterfield Sofas and High-Definition Cameras

How do they catch the world's largest lobsters? How do they build the iconic chesterfield sofa? And, how do they capture the world's sharpest TV pictures?(S15,E12)

Weather Factory, Baseball Gloves and Christmas Pudding: Episode Image
Episode 13Weather Factory, Baseball Gloves and Christmas Pudding

How do they take a car from Siberia to the Sahara without leaving Germany? Plus, how do they hand craft a baseball glove that will last a lifetime?(S15,E13)

Newspapers, Socks and Blackcurrant Juice: Episode Image
Episode 14Newspapers, Socks and Blackcurrant Juice

How do they print over 10 million copies a day of the world's best-selling newspaper? How do they knit 32,000 pairs of socks a day at South Africa's biggest sock factory?(S15,E14)

Raisins, Washi Paper and Showers: Episode Image
Episode 15Raisins, Washi Paper and Showers

How do they produce 99% of America's raisins in California's San Joaquin Valley? Plus, how do they make the world's oldest type of paper?(S15,E15)

Charcoal, Soba and Vaulting Poles: Episode Image
Episode 16Charcoal, Soba and Vaulting Poles

How do they use ancient techniques and modern technology to produce thousands of tonnes of barbecue charcoal? How do they cook up Japan's soba noodles?(S15,E16)

Pearls, Damascus Steel Knives and Hippo Rollers: Episode Image
Episode 17Pearls, Damascus Steel Knives and Hippo Rollers

How do they grow America's only freshwater pearls in Tennessee? Plus, what secrets are behind how the world's sharpest knives are made?(S15,E17)

Sugar Beets, Feather Dusters and Balloons: Episode Image
Episode 18Sugar Beets, Feather Dusters and Balloons

How do they turn root vegetables into sweet sugar? How do they make feather dusters? And, how do they make billions of balloons to keep parties popping?(S15,E18)

Pencils, Licorice and Lace: Episode Image
Episode 19Pencils, Licorice and Lace

How do they turn trees into pencils? How do they make liquorice? And, how do they use traditional techniques to weave the world's most fashionable lace?(S15,E19)

Platinum, Manga and Limoncello: Episode Image
Episode 20Platinum, Manga and Limoncello

How do they mine one of the world's most valuable metals, platinum? How do they produce manga comics? How do they turn lemons into an Italian after-dinner drinks?(S15,E20)

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