How It's Made Season 20 Episode 8 Wood Toys, Retro Toasters, Laboratory Furnaces, and Aerogels

In this episode of How It's Made, viewers are taken on a journey through the fascinating world of manufacturing with a focus on wood toys, retro toasters, laboratory furnaces, and aerogels. The episode begins with a deep dive into the process of creating wooden toys, showcasing the intricate detail that goes into each piece. Viewers will witness how skilled craftsmen use advanced techniques to cut, shape, and assemble various types of wood into toys such as rocking horses, puzzles, and building blocks. The materials needed for this process, including wood stains, adhesives, and paints, are also explored in-depth.

Next, the show takes an interesting turn into the world of retro toasters. We see how the designs of toasters have evolved over the years, from the basic electric toaster of the early 1900s to the sleek and modern models of today. The episode covers the manufacturing process of retro-style toasters, including how stainless steel sheets are cut and shaped for the body, how heating elements and electrical wiring are assembled, and how the final product is tested for efficiency and safety. Through this segment, viewers gain insight into the importance of design and engineering in the manufacturing process.

The third segment of the show takes viewers into the world of laboratory furnaces. These are specialized furnaces designed to create high-temperature conditions for a variety of applications, from material science to pharmaceutical research. The episode explains how laboratory furnaces are constructed and what materials are needed to create a furnace that can withstand extreme temperatures. We also see the assembly of the furnace chamber, the heating elements, and the control systems that regulate temperature and other parameters. Through this segment, viewers learn how science and technology come together to create tools that drive scientific progress.

Finally, the episode concludes with a deep dive into the fascinating world of aerogels. These materials are unique in that they are among the lightest solids known to man and have amazing thermal, acoustic, and electrical properties. Viewers are taken through the production process of creating aerogels, which includes the use of specialized equipment and chemicals. We see how the materials are synthesized, how they are extracted into a gel, and how the gel is transformed into an aerogel through a process called supercritical drying. Viewers will learn about the various applications of aerogels, including their use in insulation, electronics, and aerospace.

In summary, this episode of How It's Made is a fascinating look at the manufacturing process for wood toys, retro toasters, laboratory furnaces, and aerogels. Through the various segments, viewers gain insight into the skills, materials, and machines involved in each process, as well as the innovation and science that drives these industries forward.