How It's Made Season 20 Episode 6 Wooden Matches, Tillage Machines, Telescopic Gangways, and Mabe Pearls

In season 20 episode 6 of How It's Made, viewers get an inside look at the crafting of wooden matches, the creation of tillage machines, the construction of telescopic gangways, and the formation of Mabe pearls.

The episode starts off at a wooden match factory, where we see how wooden sticks, sulfur, and potassium chlorate are used to create matches. From the cutting of wooden sticks to the dipping of the match heads in sulfur and potassium chlorate, viewers are taken step-by-step through the process of making wooden matches.

Next up, the episode moves onto the creation of tillage machines. We get to see how raw materials like steel and rubber are transformed into these powerful farming tools. From cutting the steel, to welding and painting the machine's frame, to adding wheels and the hydraulics needed for operation, this segment shows how the production of tillage machines requires precision and expertise.

The third segment features the construction of telescopic gangways. These large, adjustable gangways are essential for loading and unloading cargo from tall ships and other vessels. Viewers get to see how engineers and craftsmen design and assemble these complex structures, from welding and painting the metal frames to installing the intricate sliding mechanisms that allow for the telescopic function.

Lastly, the episode takes a closer look at the art of creating Mabe pearls. These unique pearls are a little different from traditional pearls, as they are grown by inserting a hemispherical plastic mold into an oyster, then removing the plastic after the pearl has formed. Viewers get to see how the molds are produced, how they are inserted into the oysters, and how the pearls are extracted and polished.

Throughout the episode, How It's Made offers fascinating insights into the intricate processes and technologies that go into producing these everyday items. By showing the steps required to create everything from matches to pearls, this episode showcases the precision, expertise, and innovation required to make even the smallest things we use every day.