The Secret Life of Machines (1988-1993)

EndedDocumentary showHistory

Tim Hunkin explains how the machines we use every day actually work, using a fascinating combination of experiments, analogies, animation, and larger-than-lifesize working models. The TV series was the outgrowth of a series of cartoons for the Observer newspaper called "The Rudiments of Wisdom", which Tim researched and drew for 14 years. The theme music is a version of Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" by Val Bennett, retitled "The Russians are Coming".

Streaming

Watch Now

Network

Scheduleevery Friday (30 min)

Last Episode

Season 3Episode 630 min

The Office

Today, over 50% of jobs are in offices, but 160 years ago the figure was only 1%, and the only office workers were 'Dickensian' clerks. They had considerable status and freedom to organise their work, and kept financial ledgers, but there were no forms, memos, reports, etc. Episode Contents: Guests: The suspended ceiling conceals all the ventilation and lighting systems. A tour of the inner workings of a typical office building. Films: Cartoons about what makes a good office. Gilbreth's time and motion films. An poetic little film from the 40's about progress and change. An excerpt from a goofy 50's educational film regarding the human relations approach to management. Zombies from the 70's demonstrate new computer systems. Extro: An amazingly active office scene where everything (computers, desklamps, binders, papers) seems to be attached to actuators.

Mar 25, 1993

Recent Episodes

Episode	Name	Airdate
S03E06	The Office	Mar 25, 1993
S03E05	The Fax Machine	Mar 18, 1993
S03E04	The Photocopier	Mar 11, 1993
S03E03	The Electric Light	Mar 4, 1993
S03E02	The Word Processor	Feb 25, 1993

View all episodes View all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions Warning: Spoilers

When did The Secret Life of Machines premiere?

The Secret Life of Machines premiered on January 4th, 1988.

What is The Secret Life of Machines about?

The Secret Life of Machines is a show that explores the history and inner workings of common household appliances and machines.

Who are the hosts of The Secret Life of Machines?

The hosts of The Secret Life of Machines are Tim Hunkin and Rex Garrod.

How many episodes are there in The Secret Life of Machines?

There are a total of six episodes in The Secret Life of Machines.

What machines or appliances are covered in the first episode of The Secret Life of Machines?

The first episode of The Secret Life of Machines covers the history and workings of the sewing machine and the central heating system.

What is the name of the episode that covers the history and workings of the telephone, phonograph, and record player?

The name of the episode that covers the telephone, phonograph, and record player is "The Engine."

Who is Tim Hunkin, one of the show's hosts, outside of The Secret Life of Machines?

Tim Hunkin is an engineer, cartoonist, writer, and TV presenter who has written books on making automata and has designed several public engineering-based exhibits.

Who is Rex Garrod, one of the show's hosts, outside of The Secret Life of Machines?

Rex Garrod is an inventor and engineer who has worked on a number of famous engineering projects, such as the Brabham racing team and the K-9 robot.

What is the name of the episode that covers the workings of the refrigerator, washing machine, vacuum cleaner, and other household appliances?

The name of the episode that covers household appliances is "The Mighty Micro."

What is the name of the episode that covers the history and workings of the car?

The name of the episode that covers the car is "The Heart."