Engineering Evolved (2023)

From the roar of the earliest internal combustion engine, to the smooth, silent start of today's electric vehicles, there is no form of transportation technology more ubiquitous to human society than the car. Journey through a labyrinth of microchips and motors to see how some of the world's first combustion engines on wheels transformed into slick and sophisticated self-driving vehicles. How will the engineering milestones of today, impact the look of both cars and cities of tomorrow? As engineers continue to push the limits of what's possible, could gas stations, pedals and even vehicular accidents one day be a thing of the past?

All aboard an exciting high speed journey through time as we witness the birth and evolution of one of the most important forms of transportation ever invented, the train. From the original 'wheels on steel', to trains that travel so fast, they literally hover off the track, riding the rails has never been as thrilling as it is today. But with great power come even greater challenges. As designers attempt to push the limits of what's possible, could revamping ideas from the past help us lay the way for a track-less future? With trains already capable of driving themselves, what other ways can we apply autonomous technology to help both commuter and commercial vehicles more efficient?

From the soaring Boeing 747 to supersonic jets shattering sound barriers, we navigate the age-old principles of flight to see how they still influence designs of today. Discover the secret behind the success of the Spruce Goose while untangling the failures of the hydrogen powered project Suntan. Learn how the revolutionary design of Flying V, changed the game by optimizing fuel efficiency while contemplating if new types of energy could make flying eco-friendly. As we glide into the future, could we soon see a revival of supersonic flight, while overcoming the curse of the sonic boom?

Set sail on a captivating voyage through maritime evolution as we examine what's on the horizon for ships of the future. From global cargo transport to aquatic wonders, modern ships are a blend of technology and tradition. Amidst GPS-guided navigation and AI-augmented designs, we are reminded that massive marine accidents like the Ever Given grounding still pose a major threat to our seas. Take a look at the contemporary designs that give a whole new meaning to 'hoist the sails' with ships of today learning to harness multiple forms of energy at once. Could a better understanding of our oceans, new materials and radical designs put a modern twist on one of the oldest forms of transportation on the planet?

Human kind has always looked to the heavens to dream of the universe beyond our world, today that dream is within reach. Scientists may have conquered our atmosphere decades ago, but modern desires to make space travel accessible for the masses means rethinking the way we design our rockets. The modern-day space race is all about resources and reusability, but how exactly do companies like SpaceX, Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin hope to perfect this process? With longer manned missions on the docket for the world's space exploration programs, it's important that we get thinking about fuels of the future. Could the rockets of tomorrow carry mini nuclear rectors on board as well as people? Or will we need to farm precious elements from space to ensure that intergalactic tourists rely on a return flight home?

Once used to sneak up on enemy warships undetected, submarines of today help to open up an entire untouched underwater world deep below the surface. From WWII's oxygen-hungry diesel subs to the modern marvels like USS Nautilus, propelled by silent nuclear power, witness the evolution of underwater travel. Thanks to evolutions in submersible designs and technology, the submarines of today are much more than wicked war machines. Modern day subs are capable of carrying entire cities on their backs, breaking mega blocks of ice and touching down at the deepest, darkest points of our oceans. As drones redefine underwater exploration, meet the autonomous Orca and decode its communication systems. Explore how submarines silently patrol with unmatched technology, revolutionizing the aquatic domain.