Thu, Apr 22, 2010
Coin operated games have been around for nearly 50 years. Since the beginning, players found tricks to beating the odds and keeping their quarters. Manufacturers have countered with special features to stop cheating. Host John McCalmont dissects a pinball machine, a slot machine and a pool table to determine if it's still possible to cheat games--or if the cheat is always on you.
Thu, Apr 22, 2010
When armored vehicles first rolled into battle nearly a century ago, a large steel plate blanketed the entire car. Today's armored vehicles are the ultimate in stealth--they look like ordinary cars but just beneath the surface is a full array of technological advances that enables passengers to survive direct assaults.
Thu, Apr 29, 2010
They may seem childlike on the outside, but what's on the inside of toys will surprise kids of all ages. Are the odds against you when you consult the Magic 8-Ball? Which toy car is fastest in a head-to-head race? And why does shaking erase an Etch-a-Sketch? John McCalmont takes apart our favorite childhood icons to discover the secrets inside the toys we never outgrew.
Thu, May 6, 2010
Humans have been using tools since the Stone Age. But adding electric power just over a century ago changed our tools--and our lives--forever. To find out how, John's putting them to the test--chainsaws, nail guns, and power lifters. He'll discover which tools are up to the challenge and which ones don't make the cut.
Thu, May 13, 2010
The bathroom--where water and electric appliances come together--can be the most dangerous room in your home. To discover the dirty secrets hidden inside your bathroom, John's cutting into toilets, hairdryers and a shower. He'll debunk the myths and shed light on the shocking dangers--so you don't have to learn the hard way.
Thu, May 13, 2010
We've been drinking beer for over 10,000 years. But we're still searching for the secret to pouring the perfect pint. John's stepping behind the bar at his local watering hole to dissect beer taps, shred a jukebox, and carve up a mechanical bull--all to find out what lies within. Then he'll put his skills to the ultimate test--riding a real rodeo bull.
Thu, May 27, 2010
American cities began collecting trash over 200 years ago. But the compacting garbage truck--invented in 1938--opened the door to widespread waste management. Now, John's got one of these ultra-modern compactors at his disposal. He's going to put this massive machine to the test. Can it eat a limo? How much can it hold? And can a garbage truck really be clean?
Humans have been bowling for over 5000 years. But the popular indoor version we all know didn't appear until 1840. Today, nearly 100 million people worldwide bowl every year. To discover the secrets at the end of this dark alley, John's slicing up bowling balls, a bowling alley, a ball return, and the mysterious pinsetter.
Sat, Oct 2, 2010
The first robots were simple machines built by the ancient Greeks. Today's advanced robots perform thousands of human-like tasks. But are they artificially intelligent ... or just intelligently designed? To find the secrets behind the circuits, John's slicing a Roomba, a fortune-telling Zoltar, an industrial robot arm, and some terrain-exploring toy robots.
Sat, Oct 2, 2010
The first gas pump appeared in 1885. Today, the United States has over 117,000 gas stations--pumping nearly 400 million gallons of gasoline. But how safe are gas stations, and the tankers that deliver gasoline? What technology is in place to prevent a spill ... that could lead to a deadly explosion?