Channel logo

The Machines That Built America

Season 1
The surprising stories and rivalries behind America's biggest innovations.
20218 episodesTV-PG
Free trial of HISTORY Vault or buy

Save on each episode with a TV Season Pass. Get current episodes now and future ones when available.

Terms apply

Prime membership required

Episodes

  1. S1 E1 - Tractor Revolution
    July 17, 2021
    43min
    TV-PG
    In the 1870s, harvesting crops is grueling work. But a group of dreamers-all of them rivals-has a vision that will change farming forever.
    Free trial of HISTORY Vault or buy
  2. S1 E2 - Plane Pioneers
    July 17, 2021
    43min
    TV-PG
    In 1910, airplanes are a novelty. But that doesn't stop two young dreamers with a passion for this newfangled machine from imagining a very different future.
    Free trial of HISTORY Vault or buy
  3. S1 E3 - Titans of Television
    July 24, 2021
    42min
    TV-PG
    In the 1920s, most people find entertainment in books, magazines, or theater. But two daring pioneers see a different future, where people sit in front of screens.
    Free trial of HISTORY Vault or buy
  4. S1 E4 - Motorcycle Kings
    July 31, 2021
    43min
    TV-PG
    At the end of the 19th century, private travel means walking or riding a horse. But scrappy upstarts William Harley and Arthur Davidson have a bold vision for a new form of transportation.
    Free trial of HISTORY Vault or buy
  5. S1 E5 - Telephone Wars
    August 7, 2021
    42min
    TV-PG
    In the 1870s, when Western Union offers a colossal cash prize to anyone who can improve its network, two daring inventors go head-to-head in a fight that will forever change the way humans connect.
    Free trial of HISTORY Vault or buy
  6. S1 E6 - Power Tool Showdown
    August 14, 2021
    43min
    TV-PG
    With a growing need for speed and efficiency, a few visionary companies-Black and Decker, Milwaukee, DeWalt-create the power tools that revolutionize how America is built.
    Free trial of HISTORY Vault or buy
  7. S1 E7 - Tesla vs Marconi
    August 21, 2021
    43min
    TV-PG
    In 1893, sending information across America is a time-consuming process. But two rival inventors-Nikola Tesla and Guglielmo Marconi-have the same idea for improving things: wireless communication.
    Free trial of HISTORY Vault or buy
  8. S1 E8 - Home Tech Revolution
    August 28, 2021
    41min
    TV-PG
    Housework in the late 1800s is back-breaking labor. But with America plugging into electric power, a flood of innovation is not only changing industry, it's revolutionizing the home.
    Free trial of HISTORY Vault or buy

Details

More info

Subtitles
None available
Studio
History
By clicking play, you agree to our Terms of Use.