Inventions That Changed the World
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About
The stories behind some of the most significant inventions which have helped shape the world we live in today.
Cast
Seasons
Episodes
Miniseries
The Gun
There would be no guns without gunpowder, the volatile mixture of saltpetre (potassium nitrate), charcoal and sulphur that came to Europe in the 14th century. Chinese chemists were experimenting with early forms of gunpowder by the 9th century or even earlier. Mixing gunpowder was a tricky procedure largely carried out by hand under the constant threat of accidental explosions. Gunpowder production was as dirty as it was dangerous. To make saltpetre, workers mixed rotting vegetable waste and animal (or human!) excreta together in large beds and waited for nitrates to form as a white powder, which was later refined.
The Computer
In Victorian times 'computers' were people who added up rows of figures. Now they are mechanical wonders - without them we couldn't fly planes, drive cars or even run our dishwashers. We need them, but will they ever get smart enough to take over? Jeremy tells the remarkable story of the computer's evolution from man with pencil to android with sub-machine gun. It's an epic spanning three centuries, a tale of passion, espionage and suicide – and it's far from over. Jeremy discovers that the threat from computers lies not with Schwarzenegger's Terminator but from a much more devastating computer - Armageddon. The computer might yet change the world in a way that none of us are expecting.
The Jet Engine
When Sir Frank Whittle was developing his revolutionary jet engines during the 1940s, he needed robust but lightweight airframes to attach them to. Aluminium was the answer. Modern aviation could not have developed without this versatile, light and durable metal. The raw form of aluminium, bauxite, was first discovered in 1807 by Sir Humphry Davy (who also invented the famous miner's safety lamp) but it took years for scientists to develop it into a usable metal. By the late 19th century, aluminium was being used to make airship frames. By the 1920s, the first all-aluminium aircraft were flying.
The Telephone
At the time of Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Watson's first successful telephone transmission in 1875, the only wires strong enough to be strung over long distances were made of iron. Iron wires had been used for telegraph systems but they were unsuitable for long-distance telephone links. But, in 1877, an American, Thomas Doolittle, developed a method of manufacturing copper wires strong enough to be strung between telegraph poles. Copper's superior conductivity preserved the integrity of the telephone signal to an extent that iron could not. The age of mass communications was born.
The Television
Television would never have developed without the cathode ray tube (CRT). It was invented by a German, Karl Ferdinand Braun, in 1897. A CRT is a glass vacuum tube with a narrow neck that flares into a flat "screen" at one end. The inside surface of the screen is covered with a phosphorescent layer. Electrons are fired at high voltage along the tube, illuminating when they hit the phosphorescent layer. Refined versions of this basic tube were at the heart of millions of TVs, radars and computer monitors manufactured in the 20th century.
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Watch Inventions That Changed the World Online Free — All Episodes in HD
Looking for a place to watch Inventions That Changed the World online for free? You've landed on the right page. Inventions That Changed the World is a highly acclaimed English documentary series from 2004 that you can stream right now on Bowood.TV in high quality, no signup required.
About Inventions That Changed the World
The stories behind some of the most significant inventions which have helped shape the world we live in today. Across 1 season and 5 episodes, originally airing on BBC Two.
Inventions That Changed the World Cast and Characters
The cast features Jeremy Clarkson (as Presenter). Their performances are a major reason Inventions That Changed the World has built such a passionate audience.
Where to Watch Inventions That Changed the World Online
Bowood.TV lets you stream Inventions That Changed the World online free, instantly, in HD. There's nothing to install — open the page, hit play, done. Works perfectly on Jio, Airtel, Vi networks across India and on slow mobile data thanks to our adaptive video pipeline.
▶ Watch Inventions That Changed the World NowWhy People Are Watching Inventions That Changed the World
There's a reason Inventions That Changed the World keeps showing up on "must-watch" lists. What makes it work is a tone and style that's hard to find elsewhere. If you enjoy English storytelling that doesn't follow the same tired beats, this is the kind of show you'll end up recommending to friends.
Frequently Asked Questions about Inventions That Changed the World
Where can I watch Inventions That Changed the World online for free?
You can watch Inventions That Changed the World online free on Bowood.TV. Just open the page and hit play — no signup, no subscription, full HD streaming on phone, tablet, or desktop.
How many episodes does Inventions That Changed the World have?
Inventions That Changed the World has 5 episodes across 1 season. All episodes are available to stream right here on Bowood.TV.
Is Inventions That Changed the World good? What's the rating?
Inventions That Changed the World holds a 8.0/10 rating based on 3 reviews — genuinely excellent.
Who is in the cast of Inventions That Changed the World?
The main cast includes Jeremy Clarkson.
Is Inventions That Changed the World available in English?
Yes — Inventions That Changed the World was originally produced in English and that's the version you'll stream here on Bowood.TV.
When was Inventions That Changed the World released?
Inventions That Changed the World first aired in 2004.
Do I need an account to watch Inventions That Changed the World on Bowood.TV?
No. Bowood.TV is free and you can watch Inventions That Changed the World without creating an account. Sign-up is optional — only useful if you want a personal Watchlist or to comment on episodes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Inventions That Changed the World for free?
You can watch Inventions That Changed the World online for free on Bowood.TV. All 5 episodes across 1 season are available to stream in HD without a subscription, signup, or paywall. Just open the show page and press play.
How many seasons and episodes does Inventions That Changed the World have?
Inventions That Changed the World currently has 1 season and a total of 5 episodes. The series status is "Ended", so the episode count may grow as new seasons are released. You can browse the full episode list on Bowood.TV and continue watching from where you left off.
What is Inventions That Changed the World about?
The stories behind some of the most significant inventions which have helped shape the world we live in today. It belongs to the Documentary genre.
In which language is Inventions That Changed the World originally available?
Inventions That Changed the World was originally produced in English. On Bowood.TV the show is available in its original English audio, which is the most authentic way to experience the dialogue, music, and performances. Check the player options on the watch page for available subtitle tracks.
When was Inventions That Changed the World first released?
Inventions That Changed the World first premiered on January 15, 2004 (2004). The series has since concluded its run.
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