Air Raid Shelter and Pedal-Powered Washing Machine:
In 1939, Practical Mechanics responded to the start of the Second World War by showing its readers how to build their own air raid shelter.
The design had similarities with the Anderson Shelter, a build-at-home structure made from corrugated steel, to protect from flying bomb debris; that saved many lives during the Blitz. To get some inspiration, Ivan and Jenny make a poignant trip to see a real life Anderson Shelter at a nearby War Museum.
The team decide to reinvent the Anderson Shelter as a hi-tech garden shed, with solar panels and grow lights.
Engineers Jenny and Ellis are paired together to work on the second reinvention project – a pedal-powered washing machine.
It's a design that could have a real purpose in the modern world, as more than 60% of the world's population don't have access to an electric washing machine; could pedal-power offer a solution?
The pair decide to make a washing and drying machine, made from scrap parts sourced from a local reclamation yard.
Trailer
Recently Updated Shows
Brilliant Minds
Inspired by the extraordinary life and work of world-famous author and physician Oliver Sacks, Brilliant Minds follows a revolutionary, larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns as they explore the last great frontier - the human mind - while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
Chopped
Chopped is a cooking competition show that is all about skill, speed and ingenuity. Each week, four chefs compete before a panel of expert judges and turn baskets of mystery ingredients into an extraordinary three-course meal. Course by course, the chefs will be "chopped" from the competition until only one winner remains. The challenge? They have seconds to plan and 30 minutes to cook an amazing course with the basket of mystery ingredients given to them moments before the clock starts ticking! And the pressure doesn't stop there. Once they've completed their dish, they've got to survive the Chopping Block where our three judges are waiting to be wowed and not shy about voicing their culinary criticisms! Our host, Ted Allen, leads this high-energy, high-pressure show that will have viewers rooting for a winner and cheering for the losers. Chopped is a game of passion, expertise and skill — and in the end, only one chef will survive the Chopping Block. Who will make the cut? The answer is on Chopped!
America's Got Talent
With the talent search open to acts of all ages, America's Got Talent has brought the variety format back to the forefront of American culture by showcasing performers from across the country. The series is a true celebration of the American spirit, featuring a colorful array of singers, dancers, comedians, contortionists, impressionists, jugglers, magicians, ventriloquists and hopeful stars, all vying for their chance to win America's hearts and the $1 million prize.
The 1% Club
The 1% Club is a unique, compelling and funny entertainment show that tests the nation's intelligence, based on a scientific survey. It's a chance to test how your brain works through a series of questions that all have a right answer but can also lead to a series of entertaining wrong answers along the way. Whether you're a contestant vying for the cash prize or a viewer playing with your friends and family on the app, answer enough questions correctly, and you could earn yourself a place in the 1% Club: an elite group of people who can honestly say they've outwitted 99% of the population.
