Recounts the events related to the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission in April, 1970, in which the most serious accident to affect the Apollo flights changed the mission of the astronauts from a lunar landing to a struggle to return safely to Earth.
A comprehensive look at the world of edged weapons. Traces their development from Paleolithic times to modern. Shows a craftsman honing swords from scratch using traditional methods, as well as an axe-throwing contest.
Modern marvels takes a long, hard look at the way these massive edifices were built and used, touring sites throughout Europe to visit some of the most famous, impressive and important remaining castles.
Follows the journey of a steel freight container from port to port and looks at how intermodal transport has been transformed in the wake of 9/11. Visits some of the largest containers on earth, including the salt domes which house the United States' petroleum reserves. Examines metal cans, which revolutionized the food and beverage industry.
Head deep into massive mines and see how this vital metal is adapted to its many uses. From mine to medicine and beyond, here is the complete world of copper.
Sure, we all make mistakes, but when you're at the leading edge of human ingenuity and engineering ambition, one slip, one tiny error, can have almost unimaginable consequences. With over 14 hours of on-the-scene footage, powerful reenactments, expert analysis and graphic reconstructions, this fantastically popular show is the ultimate pre- and post-mortem on the most notorious engineering disasters of the past 40 years.
"They are catastrophic failures with deadly consequences. Caused by a single spark or a massive collapse, these disasters reveal one thing--the danger inherent in our most common industries. From a massive oil spill to refinery blaze to a downed plane, find out what went wrong... and how to prevent the next engineering disaster"--History Channel website.
Go behind the scenes to discover the cutting-edge technology and marketing efforts that satisfy our ever-accelerating craving for fast, inexpensive food.
In April 2003, the new FBI Crime Lab was opened and dedicated to the memory of all crime victims. At 500,000 sq. ft. and equipped with the most modern equipment, it is considered one of the finest crime labs in the world. All the efforts are focused on using modern forensic science in order to solve crimes.
Heavy metals--uranium, iron, lead, zinc, copper, and nickel--occupy a select portion of the periodic table. They are essential to America's economic and military might. But some of them are among the most mundane of all elements: copper, lead, zinc, and nickel. This film also looks at the superalloys--consisting of steel combined with other metals--that resist corrosion and perform increasingly elaborate functions. From Earth to space, cosmetics to...
From tomato-can carburetors to a multi-million dollar empire, roar through the decades on the trail of an American icon, and hear from famous Harley enthusiasts like Peter Fonda and Jay Leno.
Discusses the properties, usages, manufacture, chemical constitution, history and types of insulation and research that's been done on it. Covers insulation for buildings and also clothing.
His charm was legendary, but his gadgets - they were the slickest, most sophisticated devices in the world. So whether British Secret Agent 007 was on a top-secret, spy mission or eavesdropping on some clever villain, he always packed the most advanced, high-tech tools that ever graced the silver screen. James Bond had all the ladies and all the toys. Once you see the extent of his gadget collection, you'll see that it's not that easy to save the...
"From miraculously clear crystal to X-ray shielding, lead has proven through the ages to be incredibly useful and versatile. Its unique properties have made lead central to technological and artistic pursuits throughout the ages, and it has been used for everything from plumbing to makeup, from printing to seasoning food. And it has poisoned countless generations of people. Tour vast mines where heavy machinery extracts and refines lead. Visit a car...
It can be torn with two fingers, yet is strong enough for building space ships. This video presents a wealth of fascinating information about aluminum, an endlessly versatile material. From the tip of the Washington Monument to the six-pack in a fridge, aluminum is everywhere, and though ubiquitous, it's not your everyday metal. Aluminum can be stretched, pounded, melted and even turned into foam, yet is made out of a powder. All your 'pressing' questions...
Presents the history of American highway construction from the first rock roads to Eisenhower's "national defense highways" system. Historians explore how this 42,000 mile long Interstate Highway System has transformed America.
