How It's Made - Season 11

First aired: 9/10/2008 13 episodes

Episodes

1. Binoculars, Sparklers, Rubber Boots, Circular Saw Blades

Aired: 9/10/2008

Precision lenses and prisms are aligned inside binoculars, metal wire is coated with pyrotechnic material to make sparklers, liquid rubber is molded and vulcanized into waterproof boots, and hardened steel is cut and sharpened into circular saw blades.

2. Anatomical Models, Jukeboxes, Tortilla Chips, Spark Plugs

Aired: 9/17/2008

Detailed molds and painted components are used to create anatomical teaching models, mechanical and electronic systems are assembled into jukeboxes, corn dough is formed and fried into tortilla chips, and ceramic insulators and metal electrodes are combined into spark plugs.

3. Pencils, Metal Recycling, Coffee

Aired: 9/24/2008

Graphite cores are enclosed in shaped wooden slats to make pencils, discarded ferrous and non-ferrous metals are sorted and processed for reuse, and coffee beans are roasted, blended and packaged.

4. Javelins, Cuckoo Clocks, Hearts of Palm, Windshield Wipers

Aired: 10/1/2008

Lightweight materials are shaped and balanced into competition javelins, carved wooden cases and mechanical movements are assembled into cuckoo clocks, cultivated palm stems are harvested and processed into hearts of palm, and rubber blades and articulated frames are combined into windshield wipers.

5. Technical Glass, Washing Machines, Playing Cards, Crossbows

Aired: 10/8/2008

Specialized glass formulations are heated and molded into durable technical components, drums, pumps and electronic controls are assembled into washing machines, printed sheets are coated and cut into playing cards, and limbs, stocks and trigger mechanisms are fitted together to make crossbows.

6. Cine Cameras, Glass Christmas Ornaments, Giant Tires

Aired: 10/15/2008

Precision film-transport and optical components are assembled into motion-picture cameras, heated glass is blown, silvered and decorated into Christmas ornaments, and layers of reinforced rubber are built and cured into enormous tires for mining and construction vehicles.

7. Microphones, Hot Tubs, Artificial Turf, Beer Steins

Aired: 10/22/2008

Sound-sensitive elements and electronic components are enclosed in microphones, heated acrylic shells and plumbing systems are assembled into hot tubs, synthetic fibers are tufted into artificial turf, and molded ceramic bodies are decorated and fitted with pewter lids to make beer steins.

8. Hot Rods, Decorative Eggs, Fire Hose Nozzles, Baseballs

Aired: 10/29/2008

Classic vehicles are rebuilt with customized bodies and high-performance components to create hot rods, emptied eggshells are intricately decorated, machined valves and controls are assembled into fire-hose nozzles, and layers of yarn, rubber and leather are formed into regulation baseballs.

9. Accordions, Pineapples, Artificial Joints

Aired: 11/5/2008

Reeds, keyboards, buttons and bellows are assembled into accordions, pineapples are cultivated, tested for ripeness and harvested, and metal and plastic components are manufactured into artificial joints used in replacement surgery.

10. Giant Valves, Sardines, Barographs, Disposable Diapers

Aired: 11/12/2008

Massive cast and machined components are assembled into industrial flow-control valves, sardines are cleaned and sealed in cans, pressure-sensitive capsules and recording mechanisms are combined into barographs, and absorbent pulp and polymer layers are formed into disposable diapers.

11. Heated Skate Blades, Gliders, Hand Bells, Fire Hoses

Aired: 11/19/2008

Heating elements and electronic controls are incorporated into skate-blade assemblies, lightweight composite sections are molded into gliders, molten metal is cast and tuned into hand bells, and woven polyester jackets receive flexible inner linings to become fire hoses.

12. Induction Cooktops, Truck Scales, Tetra Pak Containers, Harmonicas

Aired: 11/26/2008

Electromagnetic coils and electronic controls are installed beneath glass induction cooktops, heavy platforms and load cells are assembled into truck scales, layered packaging material is printed and folded into Tetra Pak containers, and reeds and combs are fitted inside harmonicas.

13. Baseball Gloves, Medical Electrodes, Stetson Hats

Aired: 12/3/2008

Selected leather is cut, stitched and shaped into baseball gloves, conductive materials and adhesive backings are assembled into disposable medical electrodes, and felt is steamed, formed and finished into traditional Stetson hats.