The Engineering That Built the World Season 1 Episode 4 The Panama Canal

The Engineering That Built the World season 1 episode 4, titled "The Panama Canal," takes viewers on a journey exploring the challenges and triumphs of constructing one of the world's most incredible feats of engineering.

The episode begins by delving into the history of the Panama Canal, which was first envisioned by French engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps in the 1800s. The project proved too difficult for the French to complete, due to the high mortality rates from sickness and dangerous working conditions faced by workers. However, the episode shows how American engineer John Frank Stevens was able to take over the project and successfully finish it.

Throughout the episode, viewers are taken on a tour of the canal's construction, which took ten years to complete and involved the excavation of over 200 million cubic yards of earth. Viewers witness the remarkable ingenuity that went into designing and constructing the canal, such as the creation of a system of locks that allow ships to move up and down the waterway while maintaining a consistent water level.

One of the highlights of the episode is the exploration of the canal's water supply system. The canal relies on a complex network of reservoirs, pumps, and pipelines to ensure that there is always enough water to keep the locks functioning. The episode shows how engineers had to find innovative solutions to ensure that the canal had a reliable water supply, despite being located in an area with a highly seasonal climate.

The episode also highlights the importance of the Panama Canal in world trade. The canal revolutionized global shipping by providing a much faster and safer route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, cutting shipping times by weeks and reducing the risk of ships being destroyed by the treacherous currents around Cape Horn. The canal has played a vital role in the growth of world commerce ever since it first opened in 1914.

Overall, The Engineering That Built the World season 1 episode 4 provides a fascinating insight into the construction of the Panama Canal and the engineers who made it all possible. Through interviews with experts and stunning archival footage, viewers are able to see just how this incredible feat of engineering changed the course of history.