Modern Marvels

5,1

1993

8 / 10

Episodes

EP 2: The Motion Picture

The complete story of the feuds, the mistakes, ingenuity, and successes that made movies possible–and kept Edison at the front of ...

EP 3: Satellites.

Strong enough to survive their fiery launch into orbit, sophisticated enough to provide life-saving images or relay tens of thousa...

EP 4: Radio: Out Of Thin Air

To some it was a miracle. Others call it the triumph of illiteracy. Somewhere between adoration and scorn. Somewhere between the c...

EP 5: The Electric Light

Probably Thomas Edison’s best-known invention is the electric light. But the familiar light bulb is only the most obvious element ...

EP 6: The Phonograph

Thomas Edison registered over 1,000 patents, but his favorite invention was one of his first. Rare photographs and early recording...

EP 7: Great Towers in the Sky

Viewer discretion is advised for those with vertigo! Featuring rare construction footage and interviews with steely-nerved iron wo...

EP 8: Household Wonders.

Reviews the revolution in home improvement and glimpses the kitchen of tomorrow. Included: the development of the stove, sewing ma...

EP 9: Radar

Examines the history of radar, focusing on its role in the Allies’ victory in WWII–from the Chain Home Network, rudimentary radar ...

EP 10: Forensic Science: The Crime Fighter's Weapon.

From Sherlock Holmes' examination of the physical evidence at a crime scene to today's DNA technology, we review the history of cr...

EP 11: The Stock Exchange

Welcome to the center of the American economy, where nearly $90-million changes hands each minute. Journey back to the wooden wall...

EP 12: NORAD: The War Game Fortress

Journey inside the top-secret headquarters of NORAD–the North American Aerospace Defense Command–a binational military command com...

EP 13: Earthmovers: The Power to Move Mountains

Feel the earth move under your feet and dig into the fascinating history of earthmoving equipment–from invention of the simple spa...

EP 14: International Airports

Everyday 3-million passengers board the 10,000 aircraft flying at any given moment. Go behind the scenes at international airports...

EP 15: Deep Sea Exploration: Challenging The Abyss

From hollow-reed snorkels to mini-submarines equipped with video cameras, curiosity compelled inventors to conceive of innovative ...

EP 16: The Alaskan Oil Pipeline

In 1973, a desperate America, starved by an OPEC embargo, began construction on an 800-mile lifeline for its insatiable oil hunger...

EP 17: American Steel: Built to Last.

For over a century, the US steel industry was a powerful symbol of the nation's industrial might. Steel helped explode the stock m...

EP 18: Battlefield Engineering.

Meet some of the most important, yet least-recognized, warriors–the battlefield engineers who lay the groundwork for oncoming conf...

EP 19: Statue of Liberty.

It started as an idea at a French dinner party and became the symbol of the free world. The story of France's gift to the US revea...

Overview

HISTORY’s longest-running series moves to H2. Modern Marvels celebrates the ingenuity, invention and imagination found in the world around us. From commonplace items like ink and coffee to architectural masterpieces and engineering disasters, the hit series goes beyond the basics to provide insight and history into things we wonder about and that impact our lives. This series tells fascinating stories of the doers, the dreamers and sometime-schemers that create everyday items, technological breakthroughs and manmade wonders. The hit series goes deep to explore the leading edge of human inspiration and ambition.

  • en
  • Documentary,

Episodes >>

Polio Vaccine

Episode 1

now-playing-animation

The Motion Picture

Episode 2

The complete story of the feuds, the mistakes, ingenuity, and successes that mad...

Satellites.

Episode 3

Strong enough to survive their fiery launch into orbit, sophisticated enough to ...

Radio: Out Of Thin Air

Episode 4

To some it was a miracle. Others call it the triumph of illiteracy. Somewhere be...

The Electric Light

Episode 5

Probably Thomas Edison’s best-known invention is the electric light. But the fam...

The Phonograph

Episode 6

Thomas Edison registered over 1,000 patents, but his favorite invention was one ...

Great Towers in the Sky

Episode 7

Viewer discretion is advised for those with vertigo! Featuring rare construction...

Household Wonders.

Episode 8

Reviews the revolution in home improvement and glimpses the kitchen of tomorrow....

Radar

Episode 9

Examines the history of radar, focusing on its role in the Allies’ victory in WW...

Forensic Science: The Crime Fighter's Weapon.

Episode 10

From Sherlock Holmes' examination of the physical evidence at a crime scene to t...

The Stock Exchange

Episode 11

Welcome to the center of the American economy, where nearly $90-million changes ...

NORAD: The War Game Fortress

Episode 12

Journey inside the top-secret headquarters of NORAD–the North American Aerospace...

Earthmovers: The Power to Move Mountains

Episode 13

Feel the earth move under your feet and dig into the fascinating history of eart...

International Airports

Episode 14

Everyday 3-million passengers board the 10,000 aircraft flying at any given mome...

Deep Sea Exploration: Challenging The Abyss

Episode 15

From hollow-reed snorkels to mini-submarines equipped with video cameras, curios...

The Alaskan Oil Pipeline

Episode 16

In 1973, a desperate America, starved by an OPEC embargo, began construction on ...

American Steel: Built to Last.

Episode 17

For over a century, the US steel industry was a powerful symbol of the nation's ...

Battlefield Engineering.

Episode 18

Meet some of the most important, yet least-recognized, warriors–the battlefield ...

Statue of Liberty.

Episode 19

It started as an idea at a French dinner party and became the symbol of the free...