Watch The Machines That Built America

2021
1 Season
7.5 (153)

The Machines That Built America is a fascinating new docu-series from the History channel that takes a deep dive into the innovations that have shaped America's industrial history. Hosted by actor Campbell Scott and featuring commentary from engineering experts Nigel Barber and Ossian Luke, this six-episode series is a fascinating look at how America grew into a global superpower through its technological advancements. Each episode of the show explores a different aspect of American industry, ranging from transportation to communication to energy. The first episode focuses on transportation, starting with the invention of the steam engine and its impact on the development of railroad systems. From there, the series explores the many innovations that made transportation faster, more efficient, and safer, including the development of the automobile, the airplane, and the space shuttle. Other episodes look at different areas of industry, including communication, energy, and manufacturing. For example, one episode explores the development of the telegraph and telephone, and how these devices fundamentally changed the way people communicate. Another episode looks at the history of energy, including the development of oil drilling, nuclear power, and renewable energy sources. Throughout the series, the hosts provide insightful commentary on each topic, breaking down the science and engineering behind each innovation and its impact on American society. The experts also highlight the important role that entrepreneurs and inventors played in each area of industry, showcasing some of the most influential figures in American history. One of the things that makes The Machines That Built America so engaging is its focus on the people behind the inventions. Alongside biographical sketches of famous inventors like Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, the show profiles many lesser-known figures whose contributions to American industry were no less important. From the engineers who designed the first subway system, to the women who contributed to innovations in manufacturing, it's clear that American industry was built by a diverse and talented group of individuals. Another strength of the series is its use of archival footage and reenactments to bring history to life. Viewers get to see how these machines were actually built and used, and the show does an excellent job of conveying just how revolutionary many of these innovations were at the time. From the first flights of the Wright brothers, to the construction of the Hoover Dam, the series is full of stunning visual moments that bring history to life. Overall, The Machines That Built America is an excellent addition to the History channel's lineup of informative and entertaining documentaries. With its emphasis on the people and stories behind the innovations that shaped America, this series is sure to appeal to anyone interested in history, engineering, or just the remarkable achievements of human ingenuity. Whether you're a fan of science documentaries or just looking for an engaging and informative show to watch, The Machines That Built America is well worth your time.

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Seasons

8. Home Tech Revolution

August 29, 2021

Housework in the late 1800's is back-breaking labor and has been for centuries. It takes 40 hours a week to maintain a sanitary home and preserving food in an icebox is a luxury only the rich can afford. But with America plugging in to electric power, a flood of innovation is not only changing industry, it's revolutionizing the home. The new technology makes housework easier and gives women opportunities to work outside the home. Today's home appliance market is worth more than a billion dollars, but 100 years ago, it exists only in the imaginations of a few daring inventors.

7. Tesla vs. Marconi

August 22, 2021

In 1893, sending information across America is a time-consuming process. Letters travel slowly by land, and those who can afford it, send telegrams along a limited network of fixed wires. But two rival inventors have the same idea for improving things: wireless communication. Nikola Tesla is one of the most famous and successful thinkers of his day, single-handedly changing the way electricity is supplied and generated. Guglielmo Marconi is a young, uneducated Italian inventor who ignores scientific consensus and goes with his gut. Both want to rid the world of wires and send messages through the air. With millions of dollars on the line, the two men battle to dominate the new market and bring radio to the masses.

6. Power Tool Showdown

August 15, 2021

At the dawn of the 20th century, America is transforming from a primitive agrarian society to a modern Mecca of technology, mass production and automation. Factories are stocked full of machines that require maintenance from new tools. 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, and how many Americans spend their weekends now.

5. Telephone Wars

August 8, 2021

Two daring inventors go head-to-head in a fight that will forever change the way humans connect when communication giant Western Union offers a colossal cash prize to anyone who can improve its network. Alexander Graham Bell and Elisha Gray will stop at nothing to lay claim to the new technology and dominate the market. But there can be just one winner in this battle that ultimately leads to the advent of the world's most common device: the telephone.

4. Motorcycle Kings

August 1, 2021

At the end of the 19th century, private travel means taking a walk or riding a horse. But scrappy upstarts William Harley and Arthur Davidson have a bold vision for a new form of transportation--connecting a motor to a bicycle. They'll take on George Hendee's Indian Motorcycle in a classic David Vs. Goliath battle, fighting to dominate a market valued at more than 7 billion dollars today, the rivals will push their machines to the limit and tap into the lure of the open road, to try and rule the motorcycle kingdom.

3. Titans of Television

July 25, 2021

In the 1920s, the idea of beaming moving images through the air is pure science fiction. Most people find entertainment in books, magazines, or theater. But two daring pioneering see a different future, where people sit in front of screens, dazzled and engaged by what they see. To dominate the burgeoning market, a ruthless mogul takes on a little-known inventor in a high stakes battle that will change the world forever. Can a rugged farm-boy topple a big-city titan with endless resources? With millions at stake, it's a bitter feud, as both men jockey to claim the title: "The Father of Television.

2. Plane Pioneers

July 18, 2021

In 1910, airplanes are a novelty, fragile wooden concoctions that float in the air--and crash. But that doesn't stop two young dreamers with a passion for this newfangled machine from imagining a very different future: one in which planes carry millions of passengers across the country, even across the seas. To realize that vision and create a lucrative new market, William Boeing and Donald Douglas take on automobile titan Henry Ford, infamous Dutch aviation giant Anthony Fokker--and each other. It's a high stakes battle involving courage, risk taking, bold innovation, even industrial espionage... and not every business will last. But for the surprising survivors, the prize is worth it: the joy of flight and astonishing profit.

1. Tractor Revolution

July 18, 2021

In the 1870s, harvesting crops is grueling, back-breaking work. Farmers must walk miles behind horse drawn plows to get food on American tables. But a group of dreamers--all of them rivals--has a vision that will change farming forever and create one of the world's most iconic machines: the tractor. Their quest to corner the market--worth 75 billion today--produces some of the greatest innovations and most iconic brands of all time: Caterpillar, John Deere, and Ford.

101. Tractor Revolution; Plane Pioneers

July 18, 2021

In the 1870s, harvesting crops is grueling, back-breaking work.

Description

Each episode of the show explores a different aspect of American industry, ranging from transportation to communication to energy. The first episode focuses on transportation, starting with the invention of the steam engine and its impact on the development of railroad systems. From there, the series explores the many innovations that made transportation faster, more efficient, and safer, including the development of the automobile, the airplane, and the space shuttle.

Other episodes look at different areas of industry, including communication, energy, and manufacturing. For example, one episode explores the development of the telegraph and telephone, and how these devices fundamentally changed the way people communicate. Another episode looks at the history of energy, including the development of oil drilling, nuclear power, and renewable energy sources.

Throughout the series, the hosts provide insightful commentary on each topic, breaking down the science and engineering behind each innovation and its impact on American society. The experts also highlight the important role that entrepreneurs and inventors played in each area of industry, showcasing some of the most influential figures in American history.

One of the things that makes The Machines That Built America so engaging is its focus on the people behind the inventions. Alongside biographical sketches of famous inventors like Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, the show profiles many lesser-known figures whose contributions to American industry were no less important. From the engineers who designed the first subway system, to the women who contributed to innovations in manufacturing, it's clear that American industry was built by a diverse and talented group of individuals.

Another strength of the series is its use of archival footage and reenactments to bring history to life. Viewers get to see how these machines were actually built and used, and the show does an excellent job of conveying just how revolutionary many of these innovations were at the time. From the first flights of the Wright brothers, to the construction of the Hoover Dam, the series is full of stunning visual moments that bring history to life.

Overall, The Machines That Built America is an excellent addition to the History channel's lineup of informative and entertaining documentaries. With its emphasis on the people and stories behind the innovations that shaped America, this series is sure to appeal to anyone interested in history, engineering, or just the remarkable achievements of human ingenuity. Whether you're a fan of science documentaries or just looking for an engaging and informative show to watch, The Machines That Built America is well worth your time.

The Machines That Built America is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (9 episodes). The series first aired on July 18, 2021.

Where to Watch The Machines That Built America

The Machines That Built America is available for streaming on the History website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch The Machines That Built America on demand at Apple TV.