Ep 3. Mouth-Blown Window Glass, Water Pumps, Sake, and Tweezers

How It's Made is a show that takes you behind the scenes of the manufacturing world to show you how everyday objects are made. In season 19 episode 3, the show explores four different products: mouth-blown window glass, water pumps, sake, and tweezers.

The first segment of the episode focuses on the creation of mouth-blown window glass. The process is incredibly intricate, beginning with the gathering of molten glass onto the end of a blowpipe. Once a small bubble has been created, the glass blower will shape it into a cylinder and then a disc before blowing it up into a large bubble. The bubble is then carefully manipulated into the shape of a flat, rectangular window and placed into an annealing oven to cool slowly. The end result is a beautiful, perfectly clear piece of glass that can be used in windows or other architectural applications.

Next up is a tour of the manufacturing process for water pumps. The pump is an essential component in many machines, from cars to boats to industrial equipment. The manufacturing process begins with the creation of the pump's housing, which is made from high-strength aluminum. The impeller, which moves water through the pump, is also created from aluminum and is carefully machined for optimal efficiency. The motor that powers the pump is then attached to the housing, and the whole unit undergoes rigorous testing to ensure that it meets the highest standards for quality and performance.

The third segment of the episode takes a look at the production of sake, a traditional Japanese rice wine. While there are many different varieties of sake, the basic process for making it remains the same. Rice is first steamed, then mixed with a special koji mold that converts the rice's starches into sugar. This mixture is then mixed with water and yeast and allowed to ferment for several days. The resulting liquid is filtered, pressed, and aged before being bottled and sold. The process may be simple, but the attention to detail required to create a truly exceptional sake is impressive.

Finally, the episode wraps up with a look at the manufacturing of tweezers. These seemingly simple tools are actually incredibly complex to create, requiring a high degree of precision and attention to detail. The manufacturing process begins with the creation of the gold or stainless steel wire that will be used to make the tweezers. This wire is then cut to length and bent into the shape of the tweezers, with each end carefully filed and sharpened to create a perfectly pointed tip. The tweezers are then polished, cleaned, and packaged, ready to be sold to consumers all over the world.

Overall, season 19 episode 3 of How It's Made provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of manufacturing, showcasing the incredible skill and precision required to create everyday objects that we often take for granted. Each segment is informative and engaging, offering viewers a new appreciation for the products they use every day.