Modern Marvels

Story of the development of engines and motors, with particular emphasis on the ones that have profoundly changed society.

Shoes have come a long way from their humble beginnings as simple leather moccasins. Step behind the scenes with the latest advancements in the products that keep your feet covered.

Every aspect of our lives involves pressure. It's what puts the bubbles in soft drinks, propels shaving cream from its can, cools the contents of your refrigerator and causes volcanoes to erupt.

'Tiny' weapons may not sound impressive-but small can kill. From a pocket pistol to a submachine gun, many of today's weapons are smaller than ever.

Hundreds of years before steel and plastic, wood was the building block of America. From the historical to the modern to the timeless, we explore the surprising ways we cannot live without wood.

From the beginning of time we've worked to protect ourselves against the very element that keeps us alive: Water. We explore state-of-the-art roofing, tarps, tunnels, clothing, boats and much more.

From cesspools to cow farms and landfills, to bad breath, B.O and beyond, the world is full of stink-and we've spent centuries battling the funk. So how do we deal with these horrific odors?

From elite training facilities, to GPS-guided air drops, to revolutionary high-tech tents, we explore the science and technology of building, operating and protecting a military base in a warzone.

It's been said that necessity is the mother of all invention-but that isn't always the case. Take a look at downright strange machines that specialize in high functionality and low practicality, prompting two questions: What is it...and how do I get one?

From humble beginnings as chuck wagons and hot dog carts, food trucks have risen to become ethnic eateries and gourmet specialists. To build one, see how sophisticated engineering can transform a truck into a full-blown kitchen on wheels.

A look at items found in peoples' pockets all across America. Not cell phones--personal items, both valuable and cheap; simple and high-tech work aids; and food! We'll even see how some of it is made.

Swamps are one of America's most uncompromising environments. Explore the vehicles and machines that traverse them, and witness a massive engineering project to divert the mighty Mississippi River.

America would come to a standstill without trucks. Trucks transport a staggering 70 percent of all the nation's goods. We explore the amazingly diverse world of American trucks

From hauling our heaviest gear to mastering the tallest mountains, ropes and chains have been around for centuries, but we constantly improve upon them.

In our lifelong battle to fight friction, Grease--in all its forms--is the unsung hero. Journey deep into places few people ever get to see.