Ep 13. Car Tires and Silk

How It's Made's twenty-first season takes viewers on a fascinating journey behind some of the everyday objects we take for granted. In episode thirteen, Car Tires and Silk take centre stage as the show explores the intricate processes involved in creating these two vastly different products.

The episode begins by zooming in on the rubber trees of Thailand, where workers extract latex from the trees for use in tire production. We see the liquid rubber being collected in buckets before being transported to a factory. Once there, the latex is mixed with a variety of chemicals to create a rubber compound that can withstand the heat and pressure of a moving vehicle. The compound is then heated to a precise temperature before being rolled out into long strips and cut into manageable pieces.

Next, we follow the pieces of rubber to the tire-building facility, where they are layered onto metal frames in a time-consuming process that involves multiple layers of rubber and fabric being woven together. The tires are then heated and shaped to form the final product, which is inspected for flaws before being sent off to market.

The second half of the episode shifts gears and takes us to China, where silk production is in full swing. We see silkworms being fed an endless stream of mulberry leaves before spinning delicate cocoons around themselves. These cocoons are then boiled in a vat of water, which kills the silkworms and loosens the silken fibres.

Workers then draw the fibres out of the water and onto spinning machines where they are twisted and rolled into thread. The thread is then cleaned, dyed, and spooled onto bobbins before being woven into stunning lengths of silk fabric. We watch as these fabrics are inspected for quality and shipped off to high-end fashion houses around the world.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to fascinating close-up shots of the production processes used to create these complex products. The show's skilled camerawork gives viewers a unique perspective on the machinery, chemicals, and techniques that go into creating everything from the rubber in our car tires to the luxurious silk fabrics adorning our favourite outfits.

As always, How It's Made does an excellent job of breaking down complex manufacturing processes into digestible segments, making it easy for viewers to understand the steps involved in creating these everyday objects. Whether you're a fan of cars, fashion, or just curious about the world around you, season 21 episode 13 of How It's Made is a must-watch.