How Do They Do It?

Season 11

TV-G

This program is about engineering and scientific miracles and the people whose ability to solve problems make them happen.

20 Episodes

Parmesan, Runways, Reclining Chairs
E1
Parmesan, Runways, Reclining ChairsParmesan cheese, from grass to your pasta. Keeping airport runways clean and in good repair for your safety. Building a high quality reclining chair with wood, steel, fancy leather and skilled workers.
Carpets, Skis, Niagara Power
E2
Carpets, Skis, Niagara PowerA look at ways to weave an authentic Turkish carpet, and how helicopter blade technology is being used to make cross country skis. Plus, the practicalities behind the Niagara Falls
Nori, Beer Bottles, Shark Deterrents
E3
Nori, Beer Bottles, Shark DeterrentsThe process of making Nori Seaweed sheets, from the spore to the packaging. Beer bottles, made from silica sand and scrap, they could last for 15 years. In the battle between surf users and sharks, new technologies are being tested.
Brass, Ice Patrol, Penjing
E4
Brass, Ice Patrol, PenjingTraditional bronze sand casting of the Venice street lamps. The US Coast Guard patrols use radar, forward looking infra red cameras and dropped markers to track ice for shipping. The Chinese art of creating miniature trees called Bonsai.
Racing Bikes, Stunt Pilots, Oil Well
E5
Racing Bikes, Stunt Pilots, Oil WellA look at how one of the fastest bikes in the world was created, how pilots train to perform death-defying acrobatics, and how oil and gas is brought up from the bottom of the sea.
Bagels, Racing Tires, Liuli Glass
E6
Bagels, Racing Tires, Liuli GlassBagel manufacture from flour to the breakfast table. Raw rubber to race capable, the making of high performance racing tyres. Making glass castings from silica sand to finished sculpture using traditional techniques.
Trash Collecting in Venice, Australian Sheepskin, Pond Algae
E7
Trash Collecting in Venice, Australian Sheepskin, Pond AlgaeRubbish in Venice, by hand and by boat and processed to make electricity. Marino sheepskin turned into boots to keep your feet warm. In Taiwan they process pond algae into Chlorella health supplements.
Turkish Delight. Silver. Sunscreen
E8
Turkish Delight. Silver. SunscreenExamining how rosebuds are turned into Turkish delight, and how sunscreen is made to block out harmful UV light. Plus, how to hammer out a silver spoon.
Canvas. Stinky Tofu. Bottle Recycling
E9
Canvas. Stinky Tofu. Bottle RecyclingFrom growing flax, through four factories to the final canvas. From Soya bean, to Soya milk, to tofu and then stinky tofu, but not for every one's taste. Recovering, cleaning and refilling beer bottles.
Beekeeping. Trikes. Body Armour
E10
Beekeeping. Trikes. Body ArmourPlastic to molded bee hives, increasing production by 25 percent. Turning steel into a three wheel family carrier that is light on the environment. Combining Kevlar, ceramic and polyethylene to protect our military men.
Heat-Proof Glass. ATMs. Pagani
E11
Heat-Proof Glass. ATMs. PaganiAn insight into how the minerals that are an essential ingredient in glass cookware are mined, and a look at how money is kept safe and secure inside cash machines.
Aquavit, Motorcycle Racing Suits, Cleaning a Cathedral
E12
Aquavit, Motorcycle Racing Suits, Cleaning a CathedralHow the alcoholic spirit aquavit is made, and how kangaroos help protect motorcycle riders in a crash. Plus, a look at the cleaning of New York's St Patrick's Cathedral
Dock Cranes, Plastic Bags, Baubles
E13
Dock Cranes, Plastic Bags, BaublesAn insight into how the world's most expensive vinegar is made, how divers keep dry and warm in the freezing ocean, and how to build a plane that can fly upside down.
Balsamic Vinegar, Drysuits, Stunt Plane
E14
Balsamic Vinegar, Drysuits, Stunt PlaneHow do they make the world's most expensive vinegar? How do they keep divers warm in the freezing ocean? How do they build a plane that can fly upside down?
Super Steel, Wool, Kiteboards
E15
Super Steel, Wool, KiteboardsA look at the process of forging super steel to make cars lighter, greener and safer, and how Australia's 80 million sheep are sheared every spring.
Soybean Matress, Aircraft Seats, Bra Design
E16
Soybean Matress, Aircraft Seats, Bra DesignThe technological processes involved in keeping people comfortable, entertained and safe with the latest aircraft seats, and a look at the design of bras with aerospace technology.
Dry Wall, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Statuettes, Skytruck
E17
Dry Wall, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Statuettes, SkytruckHow plasterboard is made from power station smoke, the casting of the world's top awards, and how planes are built that can take off and land almost anywhere.
Car Windows, Glossy Lipstick
E18
Car Windows, Glossy LipstickHow car windows are made to keep out wind and rain, stones, thieves, noise and harmful UV rays. Plus, a look at the way gloss is added to create the perfect shade of lipstick
Madeira, Aircraft Seats, Batteries
E19
Madeira, Aircraft Seats, BatteriesA look at how George Washington's favourite tipple is made, how aircraft seats are tested without crashing a plane, and the manufacturing processes behind billions of batteries
Nickel, Canal Locks, Bubble Tea
E20
Nickel, Canal Locks, Bubble TeaA look at how nickel is mined, how the lock gates for canals are built so that barges and boats can climb hills, and the processes involved in creating Taiwan's beloved bubble tea