Ep 1. Panama Canal Supersized

In the 19th season premiere of the acclaimed series Modern Marvels, viewers are taken on an in-depth exploration of the Panama Canal. Titled "Panama Canal Supersized," the episode delves into the incredible engineering feat that expanded the canal, making it capable of accommodating larger ships and significantly increasing its efficiency.

Through a combination of expert interviews, archival footage, and stunning visuals, the episode traces the history of the canal from its earliest days through to the modern era. Viewers learn about the obstacles that had to be overcome to build the canal, including treacherous terrain, disease, and political roadblocks. They also discover how the canal has played a crucial role in global trade and commerce since it opened over a century ago.

The heart of the episode, however, is the story of the canal's expansion. With demand for larger ships and greater capacity on the rise, an ambitious plan was launched in 2007 to widen and deepen the canal. The project was a massive undertaking, involving the excavation of millions of cubic yards of earth and the construction of massive new locks. As viewers will see, the result is an engineering marvel that can accommodate some of the largest ships in the world, making the canal an even more crucial artery for global trade.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to fascinating insights and little-known facts about the canal. They discover, for example, that the original canal, opened in 1914, was built by the United States and sold to Panama in 1999 for the symbolic sum of $1. They also learn about the canal's impact on the environment and the surrounding communities, as well as the ongoing efforts to manage and maintain it.

Of course, no exploration of the Panama Canal would be complete without a closer look at the incredible machinery that powers it. From the massive cranes that move cargo containers to the intricate systems that generate the canal's power, viewers will see the incredible scale and precision of the technology that keeps the canal running smoothly.

Overall, "Panama Canal Supersized" is an incredible journey through one of the world's most important engineering feats. Whether viewers are fascinated by history, economics, or simply the wonder of human accomplishment, this episode of Modern Marvels is sure to captivate and inspire.