WEBVTT 00:00:02.100 --> 00:00:03.566 NARRATOR: FROM THE EARLIEST OF TIMES, 00:00:03.666 --> 00:00:06.366 WE HUMANS HAVE BEEN DRIVEN TO EXPLORE. 00:00:06.466 --> 00:00:08.433 [DOGS BARKING] 00:00:08.533 --> 00:00:11.900 THIS INNATE INSTINCT MOBILIZED HUMANITY... 00:00:13.366 --> 00:00:16.066 AND IT CHANGED THE WORLD... 00:00:17.500 --> 00:00:20.166 AND IT'S ABOUT TO TRANSFORM US AGAIN. 00:00:21.266 --> 00:00:23.766 THE STORY OF HOW WE GOT HERE IS 00:00:23.866 --> 00:00:27.066 FULL OF ASTONISHING TWISTS AND UNLIKELY TURNS. 00:00:27.166 --> 00:00:29.300 [TIRES SQUEAL] 00:00:29.400 --> 00:00:33.933 IT WOULD TAKE AN ALLIANCE WITH A DANGEROUS PREDATOR... 00:00:34.033 --> 00:00:36.800 DEVASTATING FLOODS... 00:00:38.633 --> 00:00:41.333 A 19th-CENTURY PUBLICITY STUNT... 00:00:41.433 --> 00:00:45.033 AN AVALANCHE OF HORSE MANURE, 00:00:45.133 --> 00:00:48.033 EXPLODING CANNONS, 00:00:48.133 --> 00:00:51.533 AND A TRIP TO THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE... 00:00:53.733 --> 00:00:57.966 TO GET THE ULTIMATE FREEDOM MACHINE-- 00:00:58.066 --> 00:01:00.133 THE CAR. 00:01:02.933 --> 00:01:06.333 THESE ARE THE INVENTIONS THAT HAVE DEFINED OUR AGE 00:01:06.433 --> 00:01:09.700 AND CHANGED OUR WORLD FOREVER, 00:01:09.800 --> 00:01:13.166 THAT ALLOWED US TO MOVE BOTH ON THE GROUND 00:01:13.266 --> 00:01:15.300 AND IN THE AIR, 00:01:15.400 --> 00:01:18.033 TO CONNECT AND TO EXPLORE 00:01:18.133 --> 00:01:20.600 THE FURTHEST REGIONS OF THE UNIVERSE, 00:01:20.700 --> 00:01:23.533 EACH A STORY OF INGENUITY, 00:01:23.633 --> 00:01:25.700 OF WONDER... 00:01:29.100 --> 00:01:31.700 OF BREAKTHROUGH. 00:01:42.466 --> 00:01:44.366 NARRATOR: THE FIRST MODERN HUMANS WALKED OUT 00:01:44.466 --> 00:01:49.066 OF AFRICA AROUND 180,000 YEARS AGO. 00:01:52.466 --> 00:01:57.033 AND, STEP BY AGONIZING STEP, THEY MOVED ACROSS THE WORLD. 00:01:59.100 --> 00:02:03.533 TODAY, AROUND 1.2 BILLION AUTOMOBILES TRANSPORT US 00:02:03.633 --> 00:02:05.533 FROM PLACE TO PLACE 00:02:05.633 --> 00:02:09.233 ON SOME 20 BILLION MILES OF ROAD. 00:02:13.233 --> 00:02:15.733 LANDSCAPES THAT WOULD HAVE TAKEN OUR ANCESTORS 00:02:15.833 --> 00:02:20.500 MANY MONTHS TO CROSS, WE CAN NOW COVER IN HOURS... 00:02:22.100 --> 00:02:26.500 BUT THE CAR IS MUCH MORE THAN A MEANS OF TRANSPORT. 00:02:29.400 --> 00:02:32.266 MAN: I THINK, AS HUMANS, WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING TO GET 00:02:32.366 --> 00:02:35.233 TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN, 00:02:35.333 --> 00:02:38.933 AND THE QUICKEST WAY TO GET THERE IS DRIVING. 00:02:40.266 --> 00:02:41.866 CARS REPRESENT FREEDOM. 00:02:44.066 --> 00:02:45.566 JIM AL-KHALIL: CARS HAVE BECOME SYMBOLS 00:02:45.666 --> 00:02:48.566 THAT DEFINE AN ENTIRE SOCIETY OR COUNTRY. 00:02:50.266 --> 00:02:53.633 MAN 2: WITH THE AUTOMOBILE CAME A COMPLETE TERRAFORMING 00:02:53.733 --> 00:02:55.333 AROUND THIS TECHNOLOGY. 00:02:58.700 --> 00:03:00.366 NARRATOR: WHAT'S MORE, 00:03:00.466 --> 00:03:03.233 THE CAR IS ON THE CUSP OF A NEW REVOLUTION; 00:03:03.333 --> 00:03:06.233 AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES MAY SOON REMOVE THE NEED 00:03:06.333 --> 00:03:08.700 FOR A DRIVER ALTOGETHER, 00:03:08.800 --> 00:03:12.300 MAKING THE CAR THE ULTIMATE FREEDOM MACHINE 00:03:12.400 --> 00:03:14.500 FOR ALL. 00:03:14.600 --> 00:03:19.233 MAN 2: AUTOMATED VEHICLES COULD OFFER EVERYONE MOBILITY, 00:03:19.333 --> 00:03:24.300 REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITIES TO ACTUALLY DRIVE A CAR. 00:03:34.133 --> 00:03:38.033 NARRATOR: SO HOW DID WE GO FROM TWO LEGS TO 4 WHEELS? 00:03:38.133 --> 00:03:41.633 IT'S A STORY THAT BEGAN THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO, 00:03:41.733 --> 00:03:45.633 HERE IN THE FROZEN ARCTIC, 00:03:45.733 --> 00:03:49.233 WITH A BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL... 00:03:49.333 --> 00:03:54.033 AND AN UNLIKELY ALLIANCE BETWEEN MAN AND BEAST. 00:03:58.600 --> 00:04:00.500 WOMAN: I'M AN OSTEOARCHEOLOGIST. 00:04:00.600 --> 00:04:03.966 I STUDY SKELETAL REMAINS TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN TELL US 00:04:04.066 --> 00:04:06.000 ABOUT LIFE IN THE PAST. 00:04:07.600 --> 00:04:11.900 AND IT'S ANCIENT BONES THAT HOLD THE CLUE 00:04:12.000 --> 00:04:16.166 TO THE FIRST REVOLUTION IN OVERLAND TRANSPORT. 00:04:17.566 --> 00:04:20.466 NARRATOR: THE EARLIEST EVIDENCE OF HUMANS HERE 00:04:20.566 --> 00:04:23.566 DATES BACK 45,000 YEARS. 00:04:25.600 --> 00:04:30.100 WITH TEMPERATURES AS COLD AS -58 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT 00:04:30.200 --> 00:04:33.666 AND THE LAND PERMANENTLY LOCKED UNDER ICE, 00:04:33.766 --> 00:04:36.066 EVERY DAY WAS A BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL 00:04:36.166 --> 00:04:38.533 IN THIS KNIFE-EDGED WORLD. 00:04:40.133 --> 00:04:42.633 ROBERTS: OUR ANCESTORS WERE COMPLETELY RELIANT 00:04:42.733 --> 00:04:45.066 ON TAKING THE WORLD AS THEY FOUND IT-- 00:04:45.166 --> 00:04:48.000 ON WILD PLANTS, WILD ANIMALS. 00:04:49.366 --> 00:04:51.866 NARRATOR: REINDEER WERE A MAJOR SOURCE OF FOOD 00:04:51.966 --> 00:04:54.566 AND PROVIDED FUR FOR CLOTHING. 00:04:56.166 --> 00:04:59.666 BUT THEY WERE PERMANENTLY ON THE MOVE, 00:04:59.766 --> 00:05:03.133 TRAVELING UP TO 20 MILES A DAY. 00:05:03.233 --> 00:05:06.100 THIS PRESENTED A MORTAL PROBLEM 00:05:06.200 --> 00:05:09.100 FOR THOSE EARLY ARCTIC SETTLERS. 00:05:09.200 --> 00:05:12.100 ROBERTS: OUR EARLY ANCESTORS COULD ONLY GO AS FAR 00:05:12.200 --> 00:05:15.300 AND AS FAST AS THEIR OWN LEGS WOULD CARRY THEM. 00:05:15.400 --> 00:05:18.900 IF THEY WERE TO TRY FOLLOWING A HERD OF REINDEER, 00:05:19.000 --> 00:05:23.000 THEY SIMPLY COULDN'T KEEP UP. 00:05:25.400 --> 00:05:28.900 NARRATOR: 300 MILES NORTH OF MAINLAND RUSSIA, 00:05:29.000 --> 00:05:32.500 ON THE BLEAK ZHOKHOV ISLAND, ARCHAEOLOGISTS RECENTLY 00:05:32.600 --> 00:05:37.033 UNCOVERED A 9,000-YEAR-OLD SETTLEMENT. 00:05:37.133 --> 00:05:39.633 IT HOLDS THE CLUE TO HOW 00:05:39.733 --> 00:05:43.733 THOSE EARLY HUMANS SURVIVED IN THE FROZEN NORTH. 00:05:45.333 --> 00:05:47.833 AMONG THE EVIDENCE OF HUMAN ACTIVITY 00:05:47.933 --> 00:05:51.933 WERE THE REMAINS OF WHAT COULD BE MISTAKEN FOR WOLVES. 00:05:56.333 --> 00:06:00.400 NARRATOR: BUT THESE WERE NOT THE BONES OF WILD PREDATORS. 00:06:02.266 --> 00:06:07.233 INSTEAD, THESE ANIMALS HAD DEVELOPED STRIKING ADAPTATIONS. 00:06:07.333 --> 00:06:09.633 THEY WERE MUCH LIGHTER AND STRONGER 00:06:09.733 --> 00:06:11.633 THAN THEIR ANCESTOR THE WOLF, 00:06:11.733 --> 00:06:15.233 BETTER ADAPTED TO RUN AND PULL. 00:06:15.333 --> 00:06:19.933 THEY WERE, IN FACT, THE BONES OF PRIMITIVE DOGS. 00:06:20.033 --> 00:06:24.333 ROBERTS: THE VERY FIRST SPECIES THAT BECAME TAMED 00:06:24.433 --> 00:06:27.500 WAS THE EUROPEAN GREY WOLF, THE ANCESTOR 00:06:27.600 --> 00:06:29.866 OF ALL OF OUR DOMESTICATED DOGS TODAY. 00:06:31.800 --> 00:06:33.700 [DOGS HOWL] 00:06:33.800 --> 00:06:36.700 NARRATOR: WHAT'S MORE, IT'S CLEAR THESE PRIMITIVE DOGS 00:06:36.800 --> 00:06:40.200 WERE BEING BRED FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. 00:06:42.200 --> 00:06:44.166 THE FINAL PIECE OF THE PUZZLE CAME 00:06:44.266 --> 00:06:46.966 FROM THE FRAGMENTS OF SHAPED WOOD. 00:06:47.066 --> 00:06:51.266 THESE WERE THE RUNNERS FROM SLEDS. 00:06:51.366 --> 00:06:53.000 WHOO! 00:06:54.400 --> 00:06:56.300 ROBERTS: 9,000 YEARS AGO, 00:06:56.400 --> 00:07:00.000 THE REINDEER HERDERS OF ZHOKHOV ISLAND 00:07:00.100 --> 00:07:02.966 WERE USING DOG SLEDS. 00:07:04.566 --> 00:07:06.833 NARRATOR: THESE ANCIENT PEOPLE WERE AMONG THE FIRST HUMANS 00:07:06.933 --> 00:07:09.933 TO PUT ANIMALS TO WORK, 00:07:10.033 --> 00:07:12.133 AND IN DOING SO, 00:07:12.233 --> 00:07:15.133 THEY EVOLVED A NEW SUB-SPECIES. 00:07:15.233 --> 00:07:19.500 LONG BEFORE THERE WAS HORSE POWER, THERE WAS DOG POWER. 00:07:19.600 --> 00:07:21.900 ROBERTS: IT WAS A REVOLUTIONARY IDEA THAT WOULD 00:07:22.000 --> 00:07:25.933 SPREAD RIGHT ACROSS THE FROZEN LANDS OF THE NORTH. 00:07:26.033 --> 00:07:29.333 NARRATOR: NOW HUMANS COULD KEEP UP WITH THE REINDEER 00:07:29.433 --> 00:07:33.866 AND THRIVE IN ONE OF EARTH'S MOST HOSTILE ENVIRONMENTS, 00:07:33.966 --> 00:07:37.266 STARTING A COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP THAT HAS SHAPED 00:07:37.366 --> 00:07:41.266 OUR DESTINY AND THAT OF OUR FURRY FRIENDS. 00:07:41.366 --> 00:07:44.066 ROBERTS: IT'S QUITE INCREDIBLE TO THINK, 00:07:44.166 --> 00:07:46.900 THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO, HUMANS HAD HARNESSED 00:07:47.000 --> 00:07:49.733 POWERED TRANSPORT FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME. 00:07:53.100 --> 00:07:57.600 NARRATOR: DOGS WERE HUMANKIND'S FIRST ENGINE... 00:07:57.700 --> 00:08:02.366 DOMESTICATED THOUSANDS OF YEARS BEFORE THE OX AND THE HORSE... 00:08:03.966 --> 00:08:06.400 BUT DOG SLEDS HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM. 00:08:12.266 --> 00:08:14.533 UNLESS YOU'RE MOVING OVER ICE OR SNOW, 00:08:14.633 --> 00:08:16.633 THEY'RE PRACTICALLY USELESS. 00:08:17.833 --> 00:08:19.733 [CAR HORNS HONKING] 00:08:19.833 --> 00:08:22.066 TO MOBILIZE HUMANKIND 00:08:22.166 --> 00:08:25.900 WOULD TAKE ONE OF OUR GREATEST INVENTIONS, 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:30.766 AND NOT JUST THAT, IT WOULD TAKE THE WHEEL, TOO. 00:08:32.299 --> 00:08:34.400 DANNY FORSTER: IT'S FUNNY, WE THINK OF THE WHEEL 00:08:34.500 --> 00:08:36.000 AS A FAIRLY ANCIENT INVENTION. 00:08:36.100 --> 00:08:38.400 I HAVE THIS IMAGE OF BARNEY RUBBLE AND THE FLINTSTONES 00:08:38.500 --> 00:08:41.766 ROLLING A STONE WHEEL ACROSS SOME PREHISTORIC LANDSCAPE. 00:08:41.866 --> 00:08:43.766 THAT'S NOT ACTUALLY THE CASE. 00:08:43.866 --> 00:08:45.766 THE WHEEL ACTUALLY CAME RELATIVELY LATE 00:08:45.866 --> 00:08:47.366 IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF HUMAN INNOVATION, 00:08:47.466 --> 00:08:49.866 AROUND 3500 OR 4000 BC. 00:08:49.966 --> 00:08:53.000 [MEN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY] 00:08:53.100 --> 00:08:55.000 NARRATOR: BEFORE THE WHEEL, 00:08:55.100 --> 00:08:58.300 OBJECTS WERE TRANSPORTED OVER TREE TRUNKS. 00:09:01.966 --> 00:09:06.533 AT STONEHENGE, ARCHAEOLOGISTS RECENTLY DISCOVERED, 00:09:06.633 --> 00:09:09.800 WITH THE HELP OF A FEW DOZEN VOLUNTEERS... 00:09:11.400 --> 00:09:15.300 THAT ITS STONE MONOLITHS WERE PROBABLY TRANSPORTED HERE 00:09:15.400 --> 00:09:17.766 ON THE TRUNKS OF SYCAMORE TREES. 00:09:17.866 --> 00:09:22.000 THE ANCIENT BRITONS COULD TRANSPORT THE 22-TON STONES 00:09:22.100 --> 00:09:25.066 10 MILES A DAY USING THIS METHOD. 00:09:30.033 --> 00:09:31.233 MAN: STOP! 00:09:31.333 --> 00:09:33.233 NARRATOR: AND WE NOW KNOW THAT OTHER CULTURES 00:09:33.333 --> 00:09:36.800 WERE TRANSPORTING HEAVY OBJECTS USING SIMILAR MEANS. 00:09:36.900 --> 00:09:39.200 [SCATTERED CHEERING] 00:09:39.300 --> 00:09:41.600 FORSTER: FOR MANY YEARS, PEOPLE HAD CHOPPED DOWN TREES, 00:09:41.700 --> 00:09:44.600 LINED UP LOGS, AND ROLLED ITEMS ALONG THEM. 00:09:44.700 --> 00:09:46.566 IN A SENSE, THAT'S A FORM OF A WHEEL. 00:09:46.666 --> 00:09:48.866 A SORT OF EXTRUDED WHEEL IS A CYLINDER, RIGHT? 00:09:48.966 --> 00:09:50.533 MAN: PULL! 00:09:50.633 --> 00:09:53.733 FORSTER: BUT THAT DOESN'T CHANGE HISTORY. 00:09:53.833 --> 00:09:57.833 FOR A WHEEL TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE, TO CHANGE SOCIETY... 00:09:59.900 --> 00:10:01.800 YOU NEED ACCOUTREMENT, YOU NEED OTHER ELEMENTS 00:10:01.900 --> 00:10:04.400 THAT WILL ACTUALLY MAKE IT OPERATIVE. 00:10:04.500 --> 00:10:07.000 NARRATOR: THE STROKE OF BRILLIANCE THAT GAVE US 00:10:07.100 --> 00:10:10.000 WHEELED TRANSPORTATION 00:10:10.100 --> 00:10:12.966 WAS NOT SO MUCH THE INVENTION OF THE WHEEL 00:10:13.066 --> 00:10:16.366 AS THE BREAKTHROUGH THAT ALLOWED US TO CONNECT IT 00:10:16.466 --> 00:10:19.933 TO A STATIONARY PLATFORM... 00:10:20.033 --> 00:10:22.400 THE AXLE. 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:27.300 FORSTER: THE AXLE ENABLES YOU TO AFFIX A WHEEL TO A PLATFORM 00:10:27.400 --> 00:10:29.900 IN ORDER TO CARRY WEIGHT AND TRAVEL A DISTANCE. 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:32.900 THE TRICK IS, IN ORDER TO PRODUCE THOSE TWO THINGS, 00:10:33.000 --> 00:10:35.300 YOU HAD TO DO IT PRECISELY AND ACCURATELY, 00:10:35.400 --> 00:10:37.400 OTHERWISE IT DIDN'T WORK. 00:10:41.500 --> 00:10:43.533 ROBERT HURFORD: IF THE AXLE ISN'T ROUND, 00:10:43.633 --> 00:10:48.333 AND THE HOLE WHICH THE AXLE IS SITTING IN ISN'T ROUND, 00:10:48.433 --> 00:10:51.333 THEN IT WILL JAM AT CERTAIN POINTS. 00:10:51.433 --> 00:10:53.900 [WOOD CRACKING] 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:56.900 IF YOU MAKE THE AXLE TOO BIG, THEN THE WHOLE THING 00:10:57.000 --> 00:10:59.900 RUNS A RISK OF JAMMING SOLID. 00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:03.366 AND IF THE GAP BETWEEN THE AXLE 00:11:03.466 --> 00:11:06.400 AND THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL IS TOO BIG, 00:11:06.500 --> 00:11:09.200 THEN THE WHEEL WILL WOBBLE ABOUT. 00:11:10.800 --> 00:11:13.266 AND IN AN EXTREME CASE, IT COULD LEAD 00:11:13.366 --> 00:11:16.100 TO THE THING KNOCKING ITSELF TO PIECES. 00:11:20.100 --> 00:11:23.000 FORSTER: AND YOU CANNOT ACHIEVE THAT LEVEL OF PRECISION 00:11:23.100 --> 00:11:25.600 WITHOUT METAL. 00:11:25.700 --> 00:11:28.200 NARRATOR: AROUND 7,000 YEARS AGO, 00:11:28.300 --> 00:11:30.200 THE MESOPOTAMIANS DISCOVERED 00:11:30.300 --> 00:11:32.966 THAT CERTAIN ROCKS CONTAINED METALS. 00:11:33.066 --> 00:11:36.466 BY 3,000 YEARS AGO, THEY HAD WORKED OUT HOW 00:11:36.566 --> 00:11:40.566 TO EXTRACT THE METAL BY A PROCESS CALLED SMELTING 00:11:40.666 --> 00:11:43.566 AND DISCOVERED THAT BY COMBINING TWO METALS-- 00:11:43.666 --> 00:11:45.566 COPPER AND TIN-- THEY COULD MAKE 00:11:45.666 --> 00:11:48.566 A MUCH STRONGER ALLOY CALLED BRONZE. 00:11:48.666 --> 00:11:53.133 THIS GAVE US OUR FIRST PRECISION TOOL. 00:11:55.133 --> 00:11:58.233 IT MAY NOT LOOK STATE-OF-THE-ART TODAY, 00:11:58.333 --> 00:12:02.100 BUT THIS EARLY BRONZE CHISEL WAS, FOR ITS TIME, 00:12:02.200 --> 00:12:05.100 ONE OF THE MOST ADVANCED PIECES OF TECHNOLOGY 00:12:05.200 --> 00:12:07.766 HUMANS HAD EVER MADE. 00:12:07.866 --> 00:12:11.366 DURABLE AND SHARP, IT WAS THE BRONZE CHISEL THAT 00:12:11.466 --> 00:12:16.033 ULTIMATELY MADE THE CIRCULAR WHEEL-AND-AXLE POSSIBLE, 00:12:16.133 --> 00:12:20.033 AND TOGETHER, THEY MOBILIZED HUMANKIND. 00:12:21.433 --> 00:12:23.533 FORSTER: THE WHEEL AND THE AXLE CHANGED THE GAME, 00:12:23.633 --> 00:12:25.733 'CAUSE YOU CAN NOW MOVE MORE ITEMS 00:12:25.833 --> 00:12:28.200 OVER LONGER DISTANCES WITH LESS EFFORT. 00:12:29.800 --> 00:12:32.500 NARRATOR: THE WHEEL-AND-AXLE'S INVENTION COINCIDED 00:12:32.600 --> 00:12:35.500 WITH THE DOMESTICATION OF THE HORSE AND OX. 00:12:35.600 --> 00:12:38.500 FOR THE FIRST TIME, ORDINARY PEOPLE COULD TRAVEL 00:12:38.600 --> 00:12:42.500 OUTSIDE THEIR SETTLEMENTS, AND IT TRIGGERED SOCIAL REVOLUTION 00:12:42.600 --> 00:12:45.200 ACROSS THE ANCIENT WORLD. 00:12:46.833 --> 00:12:49.266 FORSTER: IT'S ABOUT CONNECTIONS, IT'S ABOUT NETWORKS. 00:12:49.366 --> 00:12:51.200 YOU CAN MEET PEOPLE WHO ARE PRODUCING ITEMS, 00:12:51.300 --> 00:12:53.200 PEOPLE WHO ARE GROWING ITEMS, PEOPLE WHO ARE THINKING PEOPLE, 00:12:53.300 --> 00:12:55.800 WHO ARE CREATING AND SO FORTH, AND IT'S THAT INTERACTION 00:12:55.900 --> 00:12:59.400 THAT CREATES THE INNOVATIONS THAT WE HAVE TODAY. 00:12:59.500 --> 00:13:02.466 NARRATOR: IT EVEN SPREAD LANGUAGE. 00:13:02.566 --> 00:13:06.466 ALMOST ALL EUROPEAN AND ASIAN LANGUAGES DERIVE 00:13:06.566 --> 00:13:10.466 FROM PROTO-INDO-EUROPEAN-- THE LANGUAGE SPOKEN 00:13:10.566 --> 00:13:14.466 IN CENTRAL EUROPE BY THE WHEEL-AND-AXLE'S INVENTORS. 00:13:16.066 --> 00:13:19.866 THAT IS HOW THE AXLE TOOK THE WHEEL AND TRANSFORMED HISTORY. 00:13:21.400 --> 00:13:24.300 NARRATOR: HORSE-POWERED VEHICLES DOMINATED TRANSPORTATION 00:13:24.400 --> 00:13:26.966 FOR THE NEXT 5,000 YEARS. 00:13:28.366 --> 00:13:32.666 IT TOOK DEVASTATING FLOODS AND A BAPTIST PREACHER 00:13:32.766 --> 00:13:36.166 TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP IN THE STORY OF THE CAR. 00:13:41.166 --> 00:13:44.066 IN EARLY 18th-CENTURY BRITAIN, 00:13:44.166 --> 00:13:47.666 A WAVE OF NEW INNOVATIONS TRANSFORMED THE LIVES 00:13:47.766 --> 00:13:49.766 OF EVERYDAY FOLK. 00:13:52.966 --> 00:13:55.866 MINES WERE DUG DEEP BENEATH THE GROUND 00:13:55.966 --> 00:13:58.466 TO SATISFY THE GROWING DEMAND FOR COAL, 00:13:58.566 --> 00:14:01.433 COPPER, AND TIN. 00:14:01.533 --> 00:14:05.766 BUT AN OBSTACLE GOT IN THE WAY OF PROGRESS... 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:08.500 WATER. 00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:11.100 AL-KHALIL: WATER WAS A CONSTANT ENEMY UNDERGROUND, 00:14:11.200 --> 00:14:14.766 AND THE DEEPER YOU WENT, THE GREATER THE CHALLENGE. 00:14:16.766 --> 00:14:20.333 HAND PUMPS COULD ONLY RAISE WATER A FEW FEET, 00:14:20.433 --> 00:14:22.733 AND SO THE DEEPER THEY MINED, 00:14:22.833 --> 00:14:25.900 THE MORE MEN THEY NEEDED, THE MORE PUMPS THEY NEEDED. 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:28.200 NARRATOR: FOR EVERY MINE, 00:14:28.300 --> 00:14:30.533 HUNDREDS OF MEN WORKED AROUND THE CLOCK 00:14:30.633 --> 00:14:32.633 TO STEM THE FLOOD, 00:14:32.733 --> 00:14:35.633 BUT IT WAS A LOSING BATTLE. 00:14:35.733 --> 00:14:38.800 AL-KHALIL: AND AT SOME POINT, THEY REACHED A DEPTH 00:14:38.900 --> 00:14:43.033 WHEREBY IT BECAME JUST UNECONOMICAL TO DIG ANY DEEPER. 00:14:43.133 --> 00:14:45.633 NARRATOR: MINES CLOSED, 00:14:45.733 --> 00:14:48.233 OTHERS COLLAPSED, COSTING THE LIVES 00:14:48.333 --> 00:14:50.333 OF COUNTLESS MEN. 00:14:51.733 --> 00:14:54.233 WITH MILLIONS NOW DEPENDENT ON COAL 00:14:54.333 --> 00:14:58.233 FOR HEATING ALONE, IT TRIGGERED A NATIONAL CRISIS, 00:14:58.333 --> 00:15:02.866 AND IT SPARKED THE INTEREST OF AN UNLIKELY HERO. 00:15:02.966 --> 00:15:05.066 AL-KHALIL: THERE WAS FAME AND FORTUNE TO BE HAD 00:15:05.166 --> 00:15:07.466 FOR ANY INVENTOR WHO COULD BUILD A MACHINE 00:15:07.566 --> 00:15:10.566 THAT COULD EFFICIENTLY PUMP WATER. 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:14.900 NARRATOR: THOMAS NEWCOMEN WAS A BAPTIST LAY PREACHER 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:17.000 AND A BLACKSMITH. 00:15:18.200 --> 00:15:20.300 HE PROCLAIMED THAT VIRTUE CAME 00:15:20.400 --> 00:15:22.900 THROUGH HARD WORK AND ENTERPRISE. 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:27.000 FAITH, HE BELIEVED, WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF FLOODING. 00:15:28.400 --> 00:15:30.300 BUT WITH A FORTUNE TO BE MADE, 00:15:30.400 --> 00:15:33.833 NEWCOMEN COULDN'T LEAVE THE SOLUTION TO GOD ALONE. 00:15:35.266 --> 00:15:37.833 HE BEGAN BUILDING PARTS OF WHAT HE BELIEVED WOULD BE 00:15:37.933 --> 00:15:40.466 A REVOLUTIONARY MACHINE, 00:15:40.566 --> 00:15:44.433 AN ENGINE THAT HARNESSED A NEW TYPE OF POWER... 00:15:44.533 --> 00:15:46.033 [HISS] 00:15:46.133 --> 00:15:47.733 STEAM. 00:15:49.066 --> 00:15:51.666 THIS IS WHAT HE CAME UP WITH-- 00:15:51.766 --> 00:15:55.666 A 20-TON, 31-FEET-TALL ROCKING BEAM 00:15:55.766 --> 00:15:58.333 WITH CHAINS ON EITHER END. 00:15:58.433 --> 00:16:01.966 THE CHAINS TO ONE SIDE EXTENDED DOWN THE MINE 00:16:02.066 --> 00:16:04.366 TO A PUMP AT ITS BASE. 00:16:04.466 --> 00:16:07.966 THE CHAINS ON THE OTHER SIDE ATTACHED TO A PISTON 00:16:08.066 --> 00:16:12.800 THAT DREW STEAM FROM A VAT OF BOILING WATER INTO A CYLINDER. 00:16:14.200 --> 00:16:16.600 THE STEAM COOLED AND CONDENSED, 00:16:16.700 --> 00:16:19.600 CREATING A VACUUM INSIDE THE CYLINDER 00:16:19.700 --> 00:16:21.800 THAT PULLED THE PISTON DOWN. 00:16:21.900 --> 00:16:23.900 THIS RAISED THE OTHER END OF THE BEAM 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:27.500 AND OPERATED THE PUMP AT THE END OF THE CHAIN... 00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:31.900 ONLY NEWCOMEN'S ENGINE DIDN'T WORK VERY WELL. 00:16:32.000 --> 00:16:36.700 THE STEAM CONDENSED TOO SLOWLY TO EFFECTIVELY POWER THE PUMP, 00:16:36.800 --> 00:16:40.500 SO HE ATTACHED A COLD-WATER JACKET AROUND THE CYLINDER 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:45.100 TO CONDENSE THE STEAM FASTER, BUT THAT DIDN'T WORK, EITHER, 00:16:45.200 --> 00:16:48.066 UNTIL FATE INTERVENED. 00:16:48.166 --> 00:16:51.666 DURING ONE TEST, A JOINT CRACKED IN THE CYLINDER, 00:16:51.766 --> 00:16:55.500 AND COLD WATER FROM THE OUTER CASING FLOODED IN. 00:16:55.600 --> 00:17:00.033 IT TRIGGERED A POWERFUL AND INSTANTANEOUS VACUUM, 00:17:00.133 --> 00:17:03.400 AND IT DESTROYED NEWCOMEN'S MACHINE. 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:06.099 [EXPLOSION] 00:17:09.099 --> 00:17:12.500 BUT IT GAVE HIM HIS BREAKTHROUGH. 00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:16.800 HE REBUILT HIS ENGINE, ADDING A VALVE 00:17:16.900 --> 00:17:20.200 THAT INJECTED COLD WATER DIRECTLY INTO THE CYLINDER 00:17:20.300 --> 00:17:23.099 EACH TIME IT FILLED WITH STEAM. 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:27.599 THIS PRODUCED A POWERFUL VACUUM, 00:17:27.700 --> 00:17:31.200 INCREASING THE ENGINE'S SPEED EXPONENTIALLY. 00:17:31.300 --> 00:17:36.266 NEWCOMEN HAD CREATED THE FIRST SUCCESSFUL STEAM-POWERED ENGINE. 00:17:43.266 --> 00:17:46.166 WITHOUT FEAR OF FLOODING, MINES SOON EXTENDED 00:17:46.266 --> 00:17:48.766 MUCH DEEPER BENEATH THE EARTH, 00:17:48.866 --> 00:17:52.366 AND PRODUCTIVITY INCREASED DRAMATICALLY, 00:17:52.466 --> 00:17:57.366 BUT NEWCOMEN'S MACHINE REQUIRED SO MUCH COAL TO MAKE IT RUN, 00:17:57.466 --> 00:18:01.633 IT WAS ONLY REALLY PRACTICAL NEAR A MINE. 00:18:01.733 --> 00:18:05.033 NONETHELESS, PEOPLE SOON BEGAN TO IMAGINE A WORLD 00:18:05.133 --> 00:18:08.000 POWERED BY SIMILAR ARTIFICIAL MACHINES, 00:18:08.100 --> 00:18:12.000 PERHAPS EVEN MACHINES THAT COULD TRANSPORT US. 00:18:13.433 --> 00:18:17.533 BUT IF THAT DREAM WAS EVER TO BECOME A REALITY... 00:18:19.133 --> 00:18:23.533 WE NEEDED MUCH MORE EFFICIENT AND SMALLER ENGINES... 00:18:25.100 --> 00:18:29.100 AND THAT MEANT OVERCOMING ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT HURDLE. 00:18:31.333 --> 00:18:33.700 AL-KHALIL: BURNING THE FUEL WAS EASY, 00:18:33.800 --> 00:18:38.100 HEATING THE WATER WAS EASY, MAKING STEAM--EVEN TRANSPORTING 00:18:38.200 --> 00:18:41.900 THE STEAM THROUGH PIPES-- WAS EASY, BUT BUILDING A PISTON 00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:44.900 THAT FITS SO PRECISELY WITHIN A CYLINDER 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:48.100 THAT COULD CONTAIN THAT STEAM UNDER HIGH PRESSURE 00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:51.800 WAS REALLY TRICKY FOR 18th-CENTURY ENGINEERS. 00:18:51.900 --> 00:18:55.800 IF THE PISTON WASN'T PERFECTLY MATCHED TO THE CYLINDER, 00:18:55.900 --> 00:18:58.000 THEN STEAM WOULD LEAK OUT, AND WITH IT, 00:18:58.100 --> 00:19:00.533 THE POWER OF THE ENGINE. 00:19:00.633 --> 00:19:04.400 NARRATOR: TO MANUFACTURE A PISTON AND CYLINDER SO PRECISE 00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:07.500 THAT IT COULD ONE DAY POWER A CAR 00:19:07.600 --> 00:19:11.100 WOULD TAKE A SUNDAY STROLL ON GLASGOW GREEN 00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:14.300 AND EXPLODING CANNONS. 00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:16.666 [PATRIOTIC MUSIC PLAYING] 00:19:16.766 --> 00:19:18.666 [CANNONS FIRING] 00:19:18.766 --> 00:19:22.300 ♪ 00:19:22.400 --> 00:19:24.300 IN 1774, 00:19:24.400 --> 00:19:28.966 BRITAIN'S ROYAL NAVY FACED A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE. 00:19:30.833 --> 00:19:33.700 THEIR CANNONS KEPT BACKFIRING, 00:19:33.800 --> 00:19:36.700 AND THEY WERE LOSING COUNTLESS MEN. 00:19:36.800 --> 00:19:41.333 AT THE TIME, IRON CANNONS WERE CAST AROUND A MOLD. 00:19:41.433 --> 00:19:46.366 ANY INCONSISTENCIES IN THE MOLD CREATED DEVIATIONS 00:19:46.466 --> 00:19:49.166 INSIDE THE MUZZLE, AND THIS CAUSED THE CANNONBALL 00:19:49.266 --> 00:19:51.633 TO JAM AND EXPLODE. 00:19:51.733 --> 00:19:53.200 [EXPLOSION] 00:19:53.300 --> 00:19:57.900 ENTER INDUSTRIALIST JOHN "IRON-MAD" WILKINSON. 00:19:59.333 --> 00:20:01.633 WILKINSON REALIZED THE SOLUTION WAS 00:20:01.733 --> 00:20:05.733 TO CREATE A PERFECTLY CYLINDRICAL MUZZLE... 00:20:07.333 --> 00:20:12.100 AND THIS WAS HIS ANSWER-- A HORSE-POWERED BORING MACHINE. 00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:18.100 IT SPUN THE CANNON BARREL ONTO A FIXED BORING BAR. 00:20:20.100 --> 00:20:22.400 THE RESULT-- A SMOOTH MUZZLE 00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:25.933 AND THE MOST ACCURATE CANNONS EVER MADE. 00:20:26.033 --> 00:20:27.533 ♪ 00:20:27.633 --> 00:20:30.133 IT WAS A HUGE HIT WITH THE ROYAL NAVY, 00:20:30.233 --> 00:20:34.733 WHOSE CANNONBALLS WERE SOON SMASHING INTO FRENCH SHIPS. 00:20:34.833 --> 00:20:38.333 BUT IT WOULD MAKE AN EVEN BIGGER SPLASH WHEN IT CAME 00:20:38.433 --> 00:20:42.333 TO THE ATTENTION OF A RECLUSIVE SCOTTISH INSTRUMENT MAKER 00:20:42.433 --> 00:20:45.133 AT GLASGOW UNIVERSITY. 00:20:48.133 --> 00:20:51.033 ONE MAY SUNDAY IN 1765, 00:20:51.133 --> 00:20:53.633 JAMES WATT, A SELF-TAUGHT INVENTOR 00:20:53.733 --> 00:20:56.633 AND POLYMATH, WAS TAKING A STROLL 00:20:56.733 --> 00:20:59.833 ACROSS GLASGOW GREEN TO CLEAR HIS MIND. 00:20:59.933 --> 00:21:02.500 [BIRDS CHIRPING] 00:21:02.600 --> 00:21:04.766 WATT HAD BEEN GIVEN THE UNIVERSITY'S 00:21:04.866 --> 00:21:08.866 MODEL NEWCOMEN ENGINE TO REPAIR. 00:21:12.266 --> 00:21:17.166 HE HAD BECOME FIXATED BY ITS CYLINDER-AND-PISTON SYSTEM, 00:21:17.266 --> 00:21:20.766 WHICH COOLED THE CYLINDER ON EVERY CYCLE 00:21:20.866 --> 00:21:23.766 AS THE STEAM CONDENSED. 00:21:23.866 --> 00:21:26.833 [HISS] 00:21:28.966 --> 00:21:30.866 BUT ON THAT SUNDAY MORNING, 00:21:30.966 --> 00:21:34.866 WATT SUDDENLY HAD A BREAKTHROUGH. 00:21:34.966 --> 00:21:37.266 HE IMAGINED A SEPARATE VESSEL, 00:21:37.366 --> 00:21:40.866 ATTACHED TO THE CYLINDER, THAT WAS KEPT COOL. 00:21:40.966 --> 00:21:43.266 HE CALLED IT A CONDENSER. 00:21:43.366 --> 00:21:46.433 IF A VALVE WAS OPENED WHEN THE CYLINDER WAS FULL 00:21:46.533 --> 00:21:49.833 OF HOT STEAM, THE CONDENSER WOULD COOL THE STEAM 00:21:49.933 --> 00:21:54.633 MUCH MORE RAPIDLY, CREATING A POWERFUL VACUUM 00:21:54.733 --> 00:21:57.433 THAT WOULD SUCK THE STEAM OUT OF THE CYLINDER 00:21:57.533 --> 00:22:01.200 WITHOUT COOLING THE CYLINDER ITSELF. 00:22:02.633 --> 00:22:04.533 AND, HEARING ABOUT THE BREAKTHROUGH 00:22:04.633 --> 00:22:09.266 IN THE ROYAL NAVY'S CANNONS, HE HIRED IRON-MAD WILKINSON 00:22:09.366 --> 00:22:13.833 TO BORE HIM THE WORLD'S FIRST PRECISION CYLINDERS AND PISTONS. 00:22:13.933 --> 00:22:17.000 AL-KHALIL: AN ENGINE THAT MINIMIZES STEAM LEAKAGE IS 00:22:17.100 --> 00:22:21.800 MORE EFFICIENT, IT USES LESS FUEL, AND CAN WORK HARDER. 00:22:21.900 --> 00:22:24.800 NARRATOR: BUT WATT HAD ANOTHER BIG IDEA. 00:22:24.900 --> 00:22:27.200 AL-KHALIL: INSTEAD OF USING A PISTON AND CYLINDER 00:22:27.300 --> 00:22:30.233 TO DRIVE A BEAM, 00:22:30.333 --> 00:22:34.200 HE FOUND A WAY OF MAKING IT TURN A WHEEL. 00:22:35.800 --> 00:22:38.300 NARRATOR: WATT'S BREAKTHROUGH MADE STEAM A VIABLE SOURCE 00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:41.900 OF POWER; NOW MACHINES COULD BE BUILT ANYWHERE 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:46.600 AND EXPLOIT ENERGY-DENSE FOSSIL FUELS LIKE COAL. 00:22:48.600 --> 00:22:52.500 IT MADE HIM VERY RICH, AND IT TRIGGERED ONE 00:22:52.600 --> 00:22:56.500 OF THE BIGGEST BREAKTHROUGHS IN THE HISTORY OF HUMANKIND, 00:22:56.600 --> 00:22:59.166 THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION. 00:23:01.733 --> 00:23:05.633 FOR THE FIRST TIME, MACHINES HAD FAR GREATER MUSCLE POWER 00:23:05.733 --> 00:23:08.533 THAN ANIMALS OR MEN COULD MUSTER, 00:23:08.633 --> 00:23:12.200 AND FACTORIES BEGAN POPPING UP EVERYWHERE. 00:23:13.600 --> 00:23:16.900 STEAM-POWERED ENGINES MOVED PEOPLE AND RESOURCES 00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:21.600 INTO CITIES AND TRANSPORTED GOODS OUT... 00:23:23.600 --> 00:23:26.866 ALL THANKS TO STEAM-POWERED PRECISION MACHINES 00:23:26.966 --> 00:23:29.400 THAT COULD TURN WHEELS. 00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:32.000 AND IT'S THIS SETUP THAT'S BEEN AT THE HEART 00:23:32.100 --> 00:23:35.866 OF ALMOST EVERY CAR BUILT IN THE LAST CENTURY. 00:23:35.966 --> 00:23:39.066 NARRATOR: BUT STEAM HAD ONE HUGE DRAWBACK 00:23:39.166 --> 00:23:42.400 WHEN IT COMES TO THE STORY OF THE CAR. 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:46.700 AL-KHALIL: THE STEAM ENGINE WAS SO BIG AND CUMBERSOME 00:23:46.800 --> 00:23:49.333 AND USED SO MUCH FUEL THAT IT COULD REALLY 00:23:49.433 --> 00:23:51.300 ONLY BE USED IN RAILWAYS. 00:23:51.400 --> 00:23:52.900 [WHISTLE BLOWS] 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:55.700 NARRATOR: PEOPLE STILL HAD TO RELY ON OLD-FASHIONED 00:23:55.800 --> 00:23:59.166 HORSE-POWER TO ULTIMATELY GET TO WHERE THEY WERE GOING, 00:23:59.266 --> 00:24:03.633 UNTIL ONE WOMAN SET OUT WITH HER TWO SONS 00:24:03.733 --> 00:24:06.166 TO VISIT HER MOTHER. 00:24:07.766 --> 00:24:12.266 IN 1886, GERMAN INVENTOR AND ENGINEER KARL BENZ 00:24:12.366 --> 00:24:15.466 HAD HIS PATENT ACCEPTED FOR WHAT IS REGARDED 00:24:15.566 --> 00:24:19.266 AS THE WORLD'S FIRST AUTOMOBILE. 00:24:19.366 --> 00:24:23.066 BENZ HAD HIT ON THE IDEA OF INCORPORATING A NEW 00:24:23.166 --> 00:24:28.033 AND INNOVATIVE ENGINE THAT HAD JUST LAUNCHED ONTO THE MARKET. 00:24:28.133 --> 00:24:30.600 IT USED THE SAME PRINCIPLE OF PISTON AND FLYWHEEL 00:24:30.700 --> 00:24:33.200 THAT JAMES WATT HAD DEVELOPED, 00:24:33.300 --> 00:24:35.833 BUT WAS MUCH, MUCH SMALLER. 00:24:41.000 --> 00:24:44.300 INSTEAD OF BURNING COAL TO TURN WATER INTO STEAM 00:24:44.400 --> 00:24:49.533 IN A BOILER, WHICH THEN PUSHED A PISTON INSIDE A CYLINDER... 00:24:49.633 --> 00:24:52.133 THE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE 00:24:52.233 --> 00:24:54.933 IGNITED A PETROLEUM-BASED FUEL 00:24:55.033 --> 00:24:58.033 INSIDE THE CYLINDER ITSELF. 00:24:59.433 --> 00:25:04.000 THE MOTORWAGEN, AS IT WAS CALLED, RAN BEAUTIFULLY, 00:25:04.100 --> 00:25:09.000 BUT THERE WAS A FUNDAMENTAL OBSTACLE BLOCKING ITS SUCCESS. 00:25:09.100 --> 00:25:12.400 FOR IT TO BECOME A VIABLE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION, 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:14.600 IT REQUIRED INFRASTRUCTURE, 00:25:14.700 --> 00:25:18.700 BUT GARAGES AND GAS STATIONS HADN'T BEEN INVENTED YET. 00:25:19.933 --> 00:25:21.833 THE INFRASTRUCTURE WAS ALREADY IN PLACE 00:25:21.933 --> 00:25:23.766 TO SERVICE THE HORSE AND CART, 00:25:23.866 --> 00:25:27.733 AND IT COULD TRAVEL 60 MILES A DAY COMFORTABLY, 00:25:27.833 --> 00:25:32.733 SO THE MOTORWAGEN WAS VIEWED AS NOTHING MORE THAN A NOVELTY, 00:25:32.833 --> 00:25:35.333 AND FOR TWO YEARS, POOR KARL BENZ 00:25:35.433 --> 00:25:39.433 DIDN'T HAVE THE CONFIDENCE TO SELL A SINGLE MACHINE. 00:25:41.633 --> 00:25:46.300 FACING FINANCIAL RUIN, KARL PLUNGED INTO DEPRESSION. 00:25:50.566 --> 00:25:53.466 WOMAN: HIS SKILL WAS ENGINEERING, BUT NOT SO MUCH 00:25:53.566 --> 00:25:56.066 MARKETING, AND WE CAN SEE THAT VERY OFTEN, 00:25:56.166 --> 00:25:58.466 THAT IF YOU ARE A FANTASTIC ENGINEER, YOU ARE SO MUCH 00:25:58.566 --> 00:26:02.033 IN THE DETAIL OF THIS MECHANIC THAT YOU FORGET THE REST AROUND. 00:26:03.433 --> 00:26:05.333 NARRATOR: THANKFULLY FOR HUMANITY, 00:26:05.433 --> 00:26:08.633 ONE PERSON SAW GREAT POTENTIAL IN THE MOTORWAGEN, 00:26:08.733 --> 00:26:13.666 SOMEONE WHO ALSO KNEW HOW TO GENERATE A BIT OF PUBLICITY... 00:26:15.733 --> 00:26:18.733 KARL'S WIFE, BERTHA. 00:26:21.400 --> 00:26:25.300 EARLY IN THE MORNING OF AUGUST 5, 1888, 00:26:25.400 --> 00:26:27.900 WHILE KARL WAS SOUND ASLEEP, 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:31.100 BERTHA ROUSED THEIR TWO SONS, 00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:34.533 LEFT A NOTE ON THE KITCHEN TABLE, 00:26:34.633 --> 00:26:38.200 AND QUIETLY PUSHED THE CAR A SAFE DISTANCE FROM THE HOUSE 00:26:38.300 --> 00:26:41.100 SO NOT TO WAKE HER HUSBAND. 00:26:42.933 --> 00:26:44.833 BERTHA HAD DECIDED TO VISIT HER PARENTS 00:26:44.933 --> 00:26:46.833 IN PFORZHEIM, 00:26:46.933 --> 00:26:49.533 A 66-MILE JOURNEY, 00:26:49.633 --> 00:26:51.800 FURTHER THAN WAS COMFORTABLY POSSIBLE 00:26:51.900 --> 00:26:54.900 BY HORSE AND CART IN A DAY. 00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:59.000 BERTHA AND HER SONS WERE PLANNING TO TRAVEL 00:26:59.100 --> 00:27:02.066 THE WHOLE WAY IN AN UNTESTED VEHICLE, 00:27:02.166 --> 00:27:06.400 WITHOUT A MAP, ON COUNTRY TRACKS. 00:27:07.733 --> 00:27:09.733 KLEINSCHMIDT: I HAVE TO SEE IF THERE IS PETROL. 00:27:09.833 --> 00:27:11.166 OH, YEAH. LOOKS GOOD. 00:27:11.266 --> 00:27:13.133 NARRATOR: IT'S CERTAINLY MORE DIFFICULT 00:27:13.233 --> 00:27:15.133 TO GET MOVING THAN A HORSE. 00:27:15.233 --> 00:27:18.066 KLEINSCHMIDT: I'M A BIT AFRAID, BUT--NO CHANCE-- I HAVE TO TRY IT. 00:27:18.166 --> 00:27:21.066 I CAN SEE THAT YOU HAVE TO PUMP IT FIRST A BIT 00:27:21.166 --> 00:27:23.100 LIKE ON A MOTORBIKE. 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:25.033 OK. 00:27:25.133 --> 00:27:27.700 NOW WE SWITCH ON THE IGNITION. 00:27:27.800 --> 00:27:29.800 BIG MOMENT IS COMING UP. 00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:31.533 YEAH! 00:27:31.633 --> 00:27:33.066 [ENGINE SPUTTERS] 00:27:33.166 --> 00:27:36.533 GO, GO, GO, GO, GO! CLOSE. HA HA HA HA! 00:27:36.633 --> 00:27:39.400 1, 2, 3! 00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:41.100 [CLANKING] 00:27:44.366 --> 00:27:47.400 YEAH! HA HA HA! GREAT! 00:27:52.200 --> 00:27:54.200 NARRATOR: KARL BENZ NEVER THOUGHT HIS CAR 00:27:54.300 --> 00:27:57.933 WOULD TRAVEL FURTHER THAN ACROSS TOWN. 00:27:58.033 --> 00:28:01.166 HE HADN'T CONSIDERED THAT IT COULD BE USED 00:28:01.266 --> 00:28:03.766 OVER LONG DISTANCES 00:28:03.866 --> 00:28:06.766 OR THAT IT WOULD BE DRIVEN BY A WOMAN. 00:28:06.866 --> 00:28:09.766 AND WITH THAT IMAGE SURELY IN HER MIND, 00:28:09.866 --> 00:28:11.766 BERTHA SET OFF. 00:28:11.866 --> 00:28:14.766 KLEINSCHMIDT: IMAGINE YOU HAVE REALLY NO MAP, 00:28:14.866 --> 00:28:17.700 YOU HAVE NO ROAD SIGNS. 00:28:17.800 --> 00:28:19.866 THERE WAS NO TARMAC ROAD. 00:28:19.966 --> 00:28:22.366 IT WAS ALL OFF-ROAD. 00:28:23.966 --> 00:28:26.766 THERE WAS A LOT OF OBSTACLES TO GO OVER, 00:28:26.866 --> 00:28:29.466 AND THERE WAS A BIG CHANCE THAT SHE FAIL. 00:28:33.433 --> 00:28:37.333 I REALLY RELATE TO BERTHA A LOT. 00:28:37.433 --> 00:28:41.166 WHEN I DID MY FIRST DAKAR RALLY, IT WAS A BIT THE SAME. 00:28:42.566 --> 00:28:46.533 NOT REALLY GOOD-EQUIPPED AND NO GPS... 00:28:46.633 --> 00:28:48.633 NO MAPS... 00:28:50.033 --> 00:28:51.933 JUST DOING IT, 00:28:52.033 --> 00:28:54.833 AND THAT'S WHAT SHE WAS DOING. 00:28:57.233 --> 00:29:00.900 NARRATOR: BUT BERTHA FACED AN EVEN GREATER CHALLENGE. 00:29:03.900 --> 00:29:07.966 WITH NO GAS STATIONS, SHE HAD TO STOP REGULARLY 00:29:08.066 --> 00:29:12.766 TO FILL THE CAR'S TINY TANK WITH A PETROLEUM-BASED SOLVENT 00:29:12.866 --> 00:29:16.500 THAT SHE'D PURCHASED FROM PHARMACIES EN ROUTE. 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:24.900 THE ENGINE OFTEN OVERHEATED, SO BERTHA COOLED IT 00:29:25.000 --> 00:29:27.766 WITH WATER FROM DITCHES AND STREAMS. 00:29:27.866 --> 00:29:31.966 AND THE CAR ONLY HAD TWO GEARS, SO WHEN IT CAME TO HILLS, 00:29:32.066 --> 00:29:35.966 BERTHA AND HER BOYS HAD TO GET OFF AND PUSH. 00:29:38.266 --> 00:29:41.733 AND ONCE OVER THE SUMMIT, THE JOURNEY DOWNHILL 00:29:41.833 --> 00:29:44.466 WAS TERRIFYING. 00:29:44.566 --> 00:29:47.833 KLEINSCHMIDT: THE BRAKING IS NOT THE SAME. YOU HAVE TO THINK AHEAD. 00:29:50.266 --> 00:29:52.166 YEAH, SO YOU CANNOT, UH, BRAKE 00:29:52.266 --> 00:29:54.866 IN THE LAST MOMENT LIKE WE MAYBE DO TODAY. 00:29:54.966 --> 00:29:58.866 NARRATOR: THE HAND-OPERATED SHOE BRAKE WAS A STRUGGLE TO USE, AND 00:29:58.966 --> 00:30:03.333 BERTHA LEARNED THAT CONTROLLING THE SPEED WAS ESSENTIAL. 00:30:05.333 --> 00:30:07.233 KLEINSCHMIDT: I CAN SEE HOW DIFFICULT IT WAS TO DRIVE 00:30:07.333 --> 00:30:09.266 THE CAR BECAUSE YOU HAD ONLY 3 WHEELS, 00:30:09.366 --> 00:30:11.266 AND IF YOU WOULD TURN IT MAYBE A BIT TOO MUCH, 00:30:11.366 --> 00:30:13.466 IT CAN FLIP VERY EASILY. 00:30:13.566 --> 00:30:17.266 NARRATOR: TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR, BERTHA PAID A COBBLER 00:30:17.366 --> 00:30:21.466 TO COVER THE BRAKE SHOES WITH LEATHER... 00:30:21.566 --> 00:30:26.566 AND IN DOING SO, SHE INVENTED THE WORLD'S FIRST BRAKE PADS. 00:30:29.600 --> 00:30:30.933 KLEINSCHMIDT: YEAH! 00:30:31.033 --> 00:30:33.333 NARRATOR: INEVITABLY, THE MOTORWAGEN BROKE DOWN 00:30:33.433 --> 00:30:35.366 FROM TIME TO TIME. 00:30:35.466 --> 00:30:38.533 WHEN A FUEL LINE BECAME BLOCKED, 00:30:38.633 --> 00:30:42.533 BERTHA FIXED IT BY JABBING HER HATPIN INTO THE PIPE. 00:30:42.633 --> 00:30:47.133 WHEN AN EXPOSED IGNITION WIRE NEEDED INSULATING, 00:30:47.233 --> 00:30:49.733 SHE USED ONE OF HER GARTERS. 00:30:49.833 --> 00:30:51.933 KLEINSCHMIDT: I'M SURE SHE WAS LOOKING LIKE ME, 00:30:52.033 --> 00:30:54.900 COMPLETELY DIRTY IN THE FACE AND ALL THE CLOTHES IS BLACK 00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:57.466 AND FULL OF DUST, BUT I THINK THEY DIDN'T CARE. 00:30:57.566 --> 00:30:59.566 THEY JUST DID IT. HA HA HA HA! 00:31:01.433 --> 00:31:02.933 NARRATOR: WITH THE LIGHT FADING, 00:31:03.033 --> 00:31:07.100 BERTHA FINALLY APPROACHED HER PARENTS' HOME. 00:31:07.200 --> 00:31:09.700 THE MOTORWAGEN HAD COMPLETED 00:31:09.800 --> 00:31:12.666 ITS FIRST LONG-DISTANCE JOURNEY. 00:31:12.766 --> 00:31:17.666 BERTHA HAD COVERED 66 MILES IN AROUND 12 HOURS, 00:31:17.766 --> 00:31:22.266 A FEAT THAT WAS HARD TO MATCH WITH A HORSE AND CART. 00:31:22.366 --> 00:31:25.866 SHE HAD PROVED THAT YOU DON'T NEED A HORSE AND CART 00:31:25.966 --> 00:31:28.866 TO TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES. 00:31:28.966 --> 00:31:32.866 THE MOTORWAGEN WAS A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE. 00:31:32.966 --> 00:31:35.066 AND SOMETHING ELSE HAD HAPPENED, 00:31:35.166 --> 00:31:38.666 SOMETHING THAT BERTHA BENZ HAD HOPED FOR-- 00:31:38.766 --> 00:31:41.466 NEWS OF A WOMAN TRAVELING THROUGH THE LANES 00:31:41.566 --> 00:31:45.933 MILES FROM TOWN IN A MOTORCAR HAD SPREAD QUICKLY. 00:31:46.033 --> 00:31:49.333 NEWSPAPERS HEADLINED THE STORY. 00:31:49.433 --> 00:31:52.333 EVERYONE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE MOTORWAGEN, 00:31:52.433 --> 00:31:56.733 A REMARKABLE NEW INVENTION-- THE AUTOMOBILE. 00:31:58.233 --> 00:32:00.700 KLEINSCHMIDT: THEY UNDERSTOOD, "WOW, THIS IS SOMETHING. 00:32:00.800 --> 00:32:06.166 WE CAN TRAVEL WITH THIS KIND OF MOTORWAGEN." 00:32:06.266 --> 00:32:09.166 SO IT WAS A HUGE, HUGE STEP FORWARD 00:32:09.266 --> 00:32:12.166 FOR THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY. 00:32:12.266 --> 00:32:15.366 NARRATOR: BERTHA BENZ, PERHAPS THE LAST PERSON 00:32:15.466 --> 00:32:18.366 TO STILL BELIEVE IN HER HUSBAND'S INVENTION, 00:32:18.466 --> 00:32:22.366 HAD STAGED THE WORLD'S FIRST LONG-DISTANCE TEST DRIVE 00:32:22.466 --> 00:32:26.200 AND THE FIRST MOTOR PUBLICITY STUNT. 00:32:26.300 --> 00:32:29.200 AND SHE'D MADE SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS 00:32:29.300 --> 00:32:32.800 TO THE MOTORWAGEN IN THE PROCESS. 00:32:32.900 --> 00:32:37.200 BERTHA HAD TRANSFORMED THE CAR FROM A NOVELTY MACHINE 00:32:37.300 --> 00:32:40.166 INTO SOMETHING PEOPLE WANTED. 00:32:40.266 --> 00:32:42.566 KLEINSCHMIDT: THIS JOURNEY CHANGED THEIR LIFE, 00:32:42.666 --> 00:32:46.400 AND THIS JOURNEY CHANGED OUR FUTURE. 00:32:53.433 --> 00:32:56.533 NARRATOR: BEFORE LONG, NUMEROUS MAKES OF AUTOMOBILES 00:32:56.633 --> 00:33:01.000 WERE ON THE MARKET, AND THEY BECAME A MUST-HAVE PLAY-THING 00:33:01.100 --> 00:33:03.766 FOR THE RICH AND FAMOUS. 00:33:05.366 --> 00:33:08.833 BUT NOT ALL MANUFACTURERS AGREED WITH BENZ'S CHOICE 00:33:08.933 --> 00:33:12.433 OF THE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE. 00:33:12.533 --> 00:33:16.700 TELEVISION PERSONALITY AND CAR ENTHUSIAST JAY LENO 00:33:16.800 --> 00:33:19.000 HAS ONE OF THE MOST EXTENSIVE 00:33:19.100 --> 00:33:21.600 AUTOMOBILE COLLECTIONS IN AMERICA. 00:33:21.700 --> 00:33:23.800 IT'S A RARE CHANCE TO SEE SOME 00:33:23.900 --> 00:33:26.966 OF THESE EARLY MACHINES IN ACTION. 00:33:27.066 --> 00:33:29.966 AND THIS GETS ABOUT... 00:33:30.066 --> 00:33:32.800 A MILE PER GALLON OF WATER. 00:33:32.900 --> 00:33:34.966 NARRATOR: BY NOW, STEAM-POWERED 00:33:35.066 --> 00:33:36.966 ENGINES WERE SMALLER, AND IN A WORLD 00:33:37.066 --> 00:33:41.433 WITHOUT GAS STATIONS, THEY MADE A GOOD DEAL OF SENSE. 00:33:43.433 --> 00:33:47.233 MAN: IN ORDER TO GET A STEAM CAR TO RUN, YOU NEEDED WATER. 00:33:47.333 --> 00:33:49.466 THAT WAS READILY AVAILABLE. 00:33:49.566 --> 00:33:51.500 WHAT I'M DOING NOW, 00:33:51.600 --> 00:33:54.266 I'M PUSHING FUEL INTO THE MOTOR TO GET IT HOT. 00:33:54.366 --> 00:33:56.266 CHRIS GERDES: YOU ALSO NEEDED FUEL, 00:33:56.366 --> 00:33:58.266 BUT THAT FUEL COULD BE VERY FLEXIBLE. 00:33:58.366 --> 00:33:59.833 IF YOU HAD GASOLINE, USE GASOLINE. 00:33:59.933 --> 00:34:01.866 IF YOU HAD KEROSENE, USE KEROSENE. 00:34:01.966 --> 00:34:05.866 LENO: I USE GASOLINE BECAUSE IT'S THE MOST READILY AVAILABLE. 00:34:05.966 --> 00:34:08.866 NARRATOR: BUT STEAM-POWERED CARS ALSO HAD 00:34:08.966 --> 00:34:10.866 SOME SIGNIFICANT DRAWBACKS. 00:34:10.966 --> 00:34:12.866 LIKE IF YOUR WIFE'S HAVING A BABY, 00:34:12.966 --> 00:34:14.566 YOU GOT TO GET TO THE HOSPITAL, 00:34:14.666 --> 00:34:16.333 THIS IS NOT THE CAR TO TAKE. 00:34:14.666 --> 00:34:16.333 HA HA HA! 00:34:16.433 --> 00:34:18.166 [HORN BLOWS TWICE] 00:34:18.266 --> 00:34:21.966 GERDES: STEAM ACTUALLY CAME FROM APPLICATIONS 00:34:22.066 --> 00:34:25.366 LIKE FACTORIES AND LOCOMOTIVES, WHERE YOU COULD HAVE 00:34:25.466 --> 00:34:28.766 THE STEAM ENGINE OPERATING IN EXACTLY THE SAME CONDITION 00:34:28.866 --> 00:34:31.766 FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, AND THAT'S A VERY EFFICIENT WAY 00:34:31.866 --> 00:34:35.266 TO RUN A SYSTEM, BUT THAT'S REALLY NOT WHAT A VEHICLE NEEDS. 00:34:35.366 --> 00:34:37.466 FUN WITH STEAM. YEAH. 00:34:37.566 --> 00:34:41.199 GERDES: IN A CAR, YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO COME TO A STOP, 00:34:41.300 --> 00:34:43.400 YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO START QUICKLY. 00:34:43.500 --> 00:34:45.500 AND SO WE GOT FIRE, SO WE'RE OK. 00:34:45.600 --> 00:34:47.533 GERDES: AND NONE OF THESE THINGS ARE REALLY 00:34:47.633 --> 00:34:49.600 INHERENTLY ADVANTAGES OF STEAM. 00:34:49.699 --> 00:34:53.966 YOU'RE NOT ONLY A DRIVER, YOU ARE A POWER-PLANT OPERATOR. 00:34:54.066 --> 00:34:56.966 SO IF YOU BOUGHT ONE OF THESE BACK IN THE DAY, 00:34:57.066 --> 00:34:58.966 YOU'D HAVE TO BE PREPARED TO DO 00:34:59.066 --> 00:35:00.566 THIS KIND OF WORK FROM TIME TO TIME. 00:35:00.666 --> 00:35:02.633 UH, YEAH. OH, ALL THE TIME. 00:35:02.733 --> 00:35:04.833 HERE WE GO. 00:35:04.933 --> 00:35:07.500 NARRATOR: BUT WHILE STEAM WASN'T EASY, 00:35:07.600 --> 00:35:10.200 THERE WAS A FUEL THAT WAS. 00:35:10.300 --> 00:35:12.033 GERDES: SO THIS LOOKS PRETTY EASY TO DRIVE. 00:35:12.133 --> 00:35:13.266 OH IT'S VERY SIMPLE TO DRIVE. 00:35:13.366 --> 00:35:16.100 NARRATOR: IN 1900, 1/3 OF ALL THE CARS 00:35:16.200 --> 00:35:19.533 WERE POWERED BY ELECTRICITY. 00:35:19.633 --> 00:35:21.533 TOP SPEED IS ABOUT 23 MILES AN HOUR, 00:35:21.633 --> 00:35:23.533 WHICH SEEMS INCREDIBLY SLOW, BUT 00:35:23.633 --> 00:35:25.933 IT WAS FASTER THAN A HORSE AND CARRIAGE. 00:35:26.033 --> 00:35:27.933 THEY WERE MARKETED PRIMARILY 00:35:28.033 --> 00:35:30.166 AS A WOMAN'S CAR BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T 00:35:30.266 --> 00:35:32.766 HAVE TO CRANK IT, THERE WAS NO SMOKE, 00:35:32.866 --> 00:35:35.766 THERE WAS NO LOUD BANG, IT DIDN'T BACKFIRE. 00:35:35.866 --> 00:35:38.200 IT WAS EASY TO DRIVE. WOMEN LIKED IT. 00:35:40.566 --> 00:35:43.066 NARRATOR: FOR WEALTHY OWNERS, TRAVELING OCCASIONALLY 00:35:43.166 --> 00:35:46.866 OVER SHORT DISTANCES, CARS LIKE THIS BAKER ELECTRIC WERE 00:35:46.966 --> 00:35:49.866 A GREAT ALTERNATIVE TO THE HORSE AND CARRIAGE, 00:35:49.966 --> 00:35:52.266 BUT THEY WERE LESS OF A THREAT 00:35:52.366 --> 00:35:55.533 TO THE MORE WORKADAY HORSE AND CART. 00:35:55.633 --> 00:35:57.533 GERDES: ELECTRIC VEHICLES FACED 00:35:57.633 --> 00:36:00.433 SOME VERY SIGNIFICANT ENGINEERING CHALLENGES. 00:36:00.533 --> 00:36:03.500 ELECTRICITY WAS NOT WIDELY AVAILABLE; 00:36:03.600 --> 00:36:06.466 WHERE IT WAS AVAILABLE, IT WOULD TAKE A LONG TIME 00:36:06.566 --> 00:36:09.266 TO CHARGE THE BATTERIES, AND THE BATTERIES THEMSELVES 00:36:09.366 --> 00:36:11.866 COULD ONLY HOLD A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF CHARGE, 00:36:11.966 --> 00:36:14.900 SO THE RANGE OF THESE VEHICLES WAS VERY LIMITED. 00:36:15.000 --> 00:36:17.500 NARRATOR: BELIEVING THAT ELECTRICITY WAS 00:36:17.600 --> 00:36:21.600 A BETTER TECHNOLOGY TO POWER CARS, THOMAS EDISON SET OUT 00:36:21.700 --> 00:36:25.600 TO MAKE LONG-DISTANCE ELECTRIC CARS VIABLE. 00:36:25.700 --> 00:36:27.666 IN 1901, 00:36:27.766 --> 00:36:30.066 HE INVENTED A NICKEL IRON BATTERY 00:36:30.166 --> 00:36:33.666 THAT COULD POWER A CAR FOR 100 MILES, 00:36:33.766 --> 00:36:37.266 BUT IT COST $500 TO MANUFACTURE-- 00:36:37.366 --> 00:36:40.233 $10,000 IN TODAY'S MONEY. 00:36:40.333 --> 00:36:42.833 UNABLE TO FIND A WAY TO LOWER THE PRICE, 00:36:42.933 --> 00:36:45.833 EDISON EVENTUALLY GAVE UP ON THE IDEA. 00:36:45.933 --> 00:36:50.466 ELECTRIC CARS WOULD HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER HUNDRED YEARS. 00:36:53.066 --> 00:36:54.966 IN THE EARLY 20th CENTURY, 00:36:55.066 --> 00:36:58.866 THE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE WAS ABOUT TO CHANGE THE WORLD... 00:37:00.433 --> 00:37:04.400 THANKS PARTLY TO THE INSIGHT OF A FORMER EDISON EMPLOYEE 00:37:04.500 --> 00:37:07.733 AND A WHOLE LOT OF HORSE MANURE. 00:37:09.400 --> 00:37:12.100 TOWARDS THE END OF THE 19th CENTURY, NEW YORK 00:37:12.200 --> 00:37:15.433 WAS THE FASTEST-GROWING CITY ON EARTH. 00:37:16.833 --> 00:37:18.600 FORSTER: THE RATE OF URBANIZATION OF NEW YORK CITY 00:37:18.700 --> 00:37:21.266 DURING THE TURN OF THE CENTURY WAS SHOCKING. 00:37:21.366 --> 00:37:23.866 THEY WENT FROM 60,000 RESIDENTS 00:37:23.966 --> 00:37:26.466 TO 3.5 MILLION RESIDENTS 00:37:26.566 --> 00:37:28.800 IN UNDER A HUNDRED YEARS. 00:37:28.900 --> 00:37:30.800 UP UNTIL THAT POINT, NO CITY IN HUMAN HISTORY 00:37:30.900 --> 00:37:33.266 HAD URBANIZED THAT QUICKLY. 00:37:33.366 --> 00:37:35.700 YOU'VE GOT SKYSCRAPERS BEING BUILT, YOU'VE GOT IMMIGRANTS 00:37:35.800 --> 00:37:38.100 COMING OVER FROM EUROPE, YOU'VE GOT NEW YORK CITY TRANSFORMING, 00:37:38.200 --> 00:37:40.300 AND THIS MASSIVE RISE IN THE HUMAN POPULATION 00:37:40.400 --> 00:37:43.200 ALSO BROUGHT WITH IT A MASSIVE RISE... 00:37:43.300 --> 00:37:46.233 IN THE HORSE POPULATION. 00:37:51.000 --> 00:37:53.266 NARRATOR: BY THE 1890s, 00:37:53.366 --> 00:37:58.266 NEW YORK WAS HOME TO SOME 200,000 HORSES, 00:37:58.366 --> 00:38:01.533 TRANSPORTING OVER A MILLION INHABITANTS 00:38:01.633 --> 00:38:05.633 AND THOUSANDS OF TONS OF PRODUCE DAILY. 00:38:07.300 --> 00:38:11.933 BUT THE HORSES DEPOSITED 60,000 GALLONS OF URINE 00:38:12.033 --> 00:38:14.933 AND 2.5 MILLION POUNDS OF MANURE 00:38:15.033 --> 00:38:17.933 ONTO NEW YORK STREETS EACH DAY. 00:38:18.033 --> 00:38:20.933 ROADS BECAME BLOCKED, 00:38:21.033 --> 00:38:24.200 VACANT LOTS FILLED WITH MOUNTAINS OF MANURE 00:38:24.300 --> 00:38:26.200 6 STORIES HIGH. 00:38:26.300 --> 00:38:29.100 FORSTER: IMAGINE LIFE THEN. IMAGINE THE ODOR. 00:38:29.200 --> 00:38:32.000 NARRATOR: 20,000 DEATHS EACH YEAR WERE BLAMED 00:38:32.100 --> 00:38:35.800 ON FLIES FEEDING ON HORSE MANURE. 00:38:35.900 --> 00:38:38.800 FORSTER: WITH THAT MANY HORSES AND THE INABILITY TO REMOVE 00:38:38.900 --> 00:38:41.666 WASTE FROM THE CITY, THEY HIT A CRITICAL BREAKING POINT. 00:38:43.266 --> 00:38:46.766 NARRATOR: ALL INDUSTRIALIZED CITIES FACED A SIMILAR PROBLEM, 00:38:46.866 --> 00:38:51.166 AND IN 1898, CITY PLANNERS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD 00:38:51.266 --> 00:38:54.766 DESCENDED ON NEW YORK FOR A 10-DAY SYMPOSIUM 00:38:54.866 --> 00:38:57.366 TO BRAINSTORM A SOLUTION. 00:38:57.466 --> 00:39:01.433 THEY GAVE UP AFTER JUST 3. 00:39:01.533 --> 00:39:05.433 IT WOULD TAKE A FARMER'S SON FROM MICHIGAN TO SOLVE 00:39:05.533 --> 00:39:09.033 THE HORSE MANURE CRISIS, A MAN WHOSE NAME WOULD BECOME 00:39:09.133 --> 00:39:11.633 SYNONYMOUS WITH THE AUTO INDUSTRY-- 00:39:11.733 --> 00:39:13.600 HENRY FORD. 00:39:13.700 --> 00:39:17.600 GERDES: I THINK IT TAKES A HUGE LEAP TO LOOK AROUND AT 00:39:17.700 --> 00:39:22.433 A WORLD WHERE ONLY THE WEALTHY OWN AUTOMOBILES AND SAY, 00:39:22.533 --> 00:39:26.366 "THIS COULD BE SOMETHING THAT EVERYBODY HAS ACCESS TO." 00:39:26.466 --> 00:39:28.433 TAKE THE HANDLE OUT OF THE LEATHER THERE. 00:39:28.533 --> 00:39:29.966 OK. YEAH. 00:39:30.066 --> 00:39:32.166 GERDES: THE FAMILIAR TECHNOLOGY THAT EVERYBODY KNEW WAS 00:39:32.266 --> 00:39:34.766 THE HORSE, BUT AS HENRY FORD PROVED, 00:39:34.866 --> 00:39:36.966 THERE WERE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO COULDN'T WAIT 00:39:37.066 --> 00:39:39.333 TO GIVE UP THAT TECHNOLOGY; THEY JUST NEEDED SOMETHING 00:39:39.433 --> 00:39:40.600 THAT THEY COULD AFFORD. 00:39:40.700 --> 00:39:41.800 ALL RIGHT. 00:39:41.900 --> 00:39:43.033 KEEP YOUR THUMB INSIDE. 00:39:43.133 --> 00:39:45.900 OK. PUSH IN AND PULL UP. 00:39:46.000 --> 00:39:47.866 THERE WE GO. 00:39:49.766 --> 00:39:52.666 LENO: HENRY FORD WAS A FARM KID 00:39:52.766 --> 00:39:55.300 AND HE HATED FARM LIFE, 00:39:55.400 --> 00:39:58.900 AND HE WENT TO THE CITY AND HE WORKED FOR THOMAS EDISON. 00:39:59.000 --> 00:40:01.500 NARRATOR: FORD HAD BEEN FASCINATED WITH POCKET WATCHES 00:40:01.600 --> 00:40:04.833 SINCE CHILDHOOD, AND IT'S SAID HE BOUGHT ONE 00:40:04.933 --> 00:40:07.033 WITH HIS FIRST PAYCHECK. 00:40:07.133 --> 00:40:10.033 HE WAS SO SURPRISED TO DISCOVER THAT IT WAS MADE 00:40:10.133 --> 00:40:14.633 OF SUCH SIMPLE COMPONENTS, HE SAW AN OPPORTUNITY 00:40:14.733 --> 00:40:18.100 AND DREAMT UP A LOW-COST WATCH-MAKING BUSINESS 00:40:18.200 --> 00:40:21.800 THAT MASS-PRODUCED ITS PARTS. 00:40:23.200 --> 00:40:26.700 LUCKILY FOR HUMANITY, FORD'S FATHER FELL ILL, 00:40:26.800 --> 00:40:29.700 AND SO HE RETURNED HOME TO TEND TO THE FARM. 00:40:29.800 --> 00:40:33.100 WHEN FORD ARRIVED BACK IN THE CITY WEEKS LATER, 00:40:33.200 --> 00:40:38.200 THE YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR HAD ALREADY MOVED ON TO A NEW IDEA. 00:40:42.033 --> 00:40:44.133 IN HIS SPARE TIME, HE WOULD GET ALL THE MAGAZINES 00:40:44.233 --> 00:40:46.133 OF THE PERIOD AND READ ABOUT ALL THESE ENGINES. 00:40:46.233 --> 00:40:49.133 AND HE BUILT HIS OWN ENGINE IN THE KITCHEN SINK, AND IT WOULD 00:40:49.233 --> 00:40:52.133 PUTT, PUTT, PUTT, PUTT, AND HE WENT, "OH, WHY COULDN'T I SCALE THIS UP? 00:40:52.233 --> 00:40:55.966 AND HE BUILT A CAR IN HIS LITTLE WORKSHOP BEHIND HIS HOUSE, 00:40:56.066 --> 00:40:58.566 AND WHEN HE FINISHED THE CAR, HE REALIZED THERE'S NO WAY 00:40:58.666 --> 00:41:00.933 TO GET IT OUT OF HERE 'CAUSE THE DOOR ISN'T WIDE ENOUGH. 00:41:01.033 --> 00:41:04.200 SO HE KNOCKED THE WALL DOWN, MUCH TO THE LANDLORD'S CHAGRIN, 00:41:04.300 --> 00:41:08.133 HE GOT IT OUT, AND HE WENT FOR A RIDE IN 1896. 00:41:10.333 --> 00:41:13.600 NARRATOR: IT HAD TAKEN FORD 3 YEARS OF EXPERIMENTING 00:41:13.700 --> 00:41:17.200 TO COMPLETE HIS QUADRACYCLE, MOST OF IT AT NIGHT 00:41:17.300 --> 00:41:20.800 AFTER HE'D FINISHED WORK AT EDISON'S FACTORY. 00:41:20.900 --> 00:41:24.400 IT HAD A TWO-CYLINDER, ETHANOL-POWERED ENGINE 00:41:24.500 --> 00:41:28.000 AND A TOP SPEED OF 20 MILE AN HOUR. 00:41:28.100 --> 00:41:31.200 IT WAS STILL AN EXPENSIVE TOY, 00:41:31.300 --> 00:41:34.766 BUT IT WAS ENOUGH OF A SUCCESS TO INTEREST INVESTORS 00:41:34.866 --> 00:41:38.666 WHO SET UP FORD WITH HIS OWN COMPANY 00:41:38.766 --> 00:41:41.666 SO HE COULD PURSUE A BIGGER AMBITION-- 00:41:41.766 --> 00:41:46.000 TO MAKE LOW-COST CARS THAT THE AVERAGE JOE COULD AFFORD. 00:41:46.100 --> 00:41:49.933 BUT HE REALIZED HE NEEDED TO SIMPLIFY THE ENGINE 00:41:50.033 --> 00:41:53.033 AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. 00:41:54.433 --> 00:41:56.566 [ENGINE TURNS OVER] 00:41:56.666 --> 00:41:59.766 GERDES: ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S MOST STRIKING WHEN YOU OPEN 00:41:59.866 --> 00:42:04.166 THE HOOD OF A MODEL T IS, IN SOME WAYS, WHAT'S NOT THERE. 00:42:06.166 --> 00:42:10.066 FORD WAS ABLE TO LOOK AT THE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE 00:42:10.166 --> 00:42:12.633 AND FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU COULD TAKE AWAY. 00:42:12.733 --> 00:42:14.900 LENO: HERE'S THE BEAUTY OF THE ENGINE--ANYTHING 00:42:15.000 --> 00:42:17.166 THAT YOU DIDN'T NEED, HENRY FORD GOT RID OF. 00:42:17.266 --> 00:42:20.366 THERE'S NO WATER PUMP; THE HOT WATER PUSHES 00:42:20.466 --> 00:42:22.366 THE COLD WATER THROUGH THE SYSTEM... 00:42:22.466 --> 00:42:24.366 MM-HMM. SO IT RUNS FINE. 00:42:24.466 --> 00:42:25.966 YOU DON'T NEED A WATER PUMP. 00:42:26.066 --> 00:42:27.566 YOU DON'T NEED ANY OF THAT STUFF. 00:42:27.666 --> 00:42:30.166 YOU DON'T NEED A FUEL PUMP BECAUSE 00:42:30.266 --> 00:42:32.533 THE GAS IS HIGHER THAN THE ENGINE, SO 00:42:32.633 --> 00:42:35.533 GRAVITY FEEDS DOWN, SO GET RID OF THAT. 00:42:35.633 --> 00:42:37.533 HOW MUCH IS A FUEL PUMP, $16? 00:42:37.633 --> 00:42:39.333 GET RID OF THAT. SAVE MONEY THERE. 00:42:39.433 --> 00:42:40.933 HOW MUCH IS A WATER PUMP, 60 BUCKS? 00:42:41.033 --> 00:42:42.733 GET RID OF THAT. SAVE MONEY THERE. 00:42:42.833 --> 00:42:45.133 SO, SEE, IT'S VERY SIMPLE. 00:42:45.233 --> 00:42:47.466 NARRATOR: FORD'S SECOND BREAKTHROUGH WAS 00:42:47.566 --> 00:42:49.866 TO MASS-PRODUCE THE PARTS. 00:42:49.966 --> 00:42:53.233 WHEREAS OTHER MANUFACTURERS HANDMADE ONLY A FEW 00:42:53.333 --> 00:42:55.500 HIGH-PRICED VEHICLES, 00:42:55.600 --> 00:42:58.966 FORD GAMBLED ON SELLING LOTS OF CARS. 00:42:59.066 --> 00:43:03.433 IN 1909, THE MODEL T's FIRST YEAR OF PRODUCTION, 00:43:03.533 --> 00:43:08.833 HE SOLD OVER 10,000 AT $825 EACH-- 00:43:08.933 --> 00:43:13.800 THE EQUIVALENT OF AROUND $18,000 TODAY. 00:43:13.900 --> 00:43:16.100 IT WAS A PROMISING START, 00:43:16.200 --> 00:43:20.100 BUT FORD HAD SET HIS SIGHTS ON A MUCH BIGGER MARKET. 00:43:20.200 --> 00:43:24.133 HE JUST NEEDED TO SPEED UP THE MODEL T's PRODUCTION 00:43:24.233 --> 00:43:26.733 AND SLASH ITS PRICE IN HALF. 00:43:26.833 --> 00:43:29.866 THEREIN LAY HIS BIGGEST CHALLENGE, 00:43:29.966 --> 00:43:34.366 FOR, AS SIMPLE AS IT WAS, BUILDING A MODEL T WAS STILL 00:43:34.466 --> 00:43:38.366 A TIME-CONSUMING, LABOR-INTENSIVE PROCESS. 00:43:38.466 --> 00:43:42.300 THE SOLUTION WOULD BE FOUND IN THE MOST UNLIKELY 00:43:42.400 --> 00:43:46.766 AND UNSAVORY OF PLACES... 00:43:46.866 --> 00:43:49.033 A SLAUGHTERHOUSE. 00:43:51.166 --> 00:43:54.000 SHORTLY AFTER THE MODEL T BEGAN TO SHIP, 00:43:54.100 --> 00:43:56.266 ONE OF FORD'S SENIOR EMPLOYEES, 00:43:56.366 --> 00:43:58.366 A MAN NAMED PA KLANN, 00:43:58.466 --> 00:44:02.033 VISITED A CHICAGO MEAT-PACKING PLANT. 00:44:02.133 --> 00:44:07.133 HE SAW CARCASSES HUNG FROM MOVING HOOKS IN THE CEILING. 00:44:07.233 --> 00:44:12.133 EACH WORKER PERFORMED A VERY SPECIFIC AND SPECIALIZED JOB 00:44:12.233 --> 00:44:14.900 BEFORE PASSING THE CARCASS ON. 00:44:15.000 --> 00:44:18.466 IT WAS A DISASSEMBLY LINE. 00:44:18.566 --> 00:44:22.066 KLANN REALIZED THAT BY REVERSING THE PROCESS 00:44:22.166 --> 00:44:25.666 AND ADAPTING IT TO FACILITATE THE PRODUCTION OF CARS, 00:44:25.766 --> 00:44:29.733 THE MODEL T COULD BE MADE MUCH FASTER. 00:44:33.766 --> 00:44:38.066 FORD WAS CONVINCED AND CREATED AN ASSEMBLY LINE 00:44:38.166 --> 00:44:41.700 IN A NEW PURPOSE-BUILT FACTORY. 00:44:41.800 --> 00:44:45.966 IT CUT $250 OFF THE CAR'S PRICE... 00:44:47.200 --> 00:44:51.100 AND BY 1913, HE'D REFINED THE TIMINGS 00:44:51.200 --> 00:44:53.233 FOR EACH STAGE OF THE PROCESS ENOUGH 00:44:53.333 --> 00:44:56.833 THAT HE COULD INSTALL A MOVING CONVEYOR BELT, 00:44:56.933 --> 00:45:01.133 SLASHING A FURTHER $50 OFF THE PRICE. 00:45:01.233 --> 00:45:03.366 AT THE PEAK OF THE MODEL T's PRODUCTION, 00:45:03.466 --> 00:45:08.400 FORD WAS ASSEMBLING 150 CARS AN HOUR 00:45:08.500 --> 00:45:13.400 AND SELLING THEM FOR LESS THAN A THIRD OF THE ORIGINAL PRICE. 00:45:13.500 --> 00:45:15.733 THIS SOLD FOR $260 BRAND-NEW, 00:45:15.833 --> 00:45:18.666 WHEN A CADILLAC WAS $4,000. 00:45:18.766 --> 00:45:21.066 AND ONCE, OF COURSE, THE MODEL T CAME OUT, 00:45:21.166 --> 00:45:23.333 THEN ACCESSORY DEALERS: "IMPROVE YOUR MODEL T. 00:45:23.433 --> 00:45:25.566 GET MORE POWER, THE OVERHEAD VALVE"-- 00:45:25.666 --> 00:45:27.400 YOU KNOW, A WHOLE 'NOTHER BUSINESS 00:45:27.500 --> 00:45:29.166 GREW UP OUT OF THAT. 00:45:29.266 --> 00:45:33.366 NARRATOR: THE AUTOMOBILE WAS NO LONGER A RICH MAN'S PLAY-THING. 00:45:33.466 --> 00:45:38.366 HENRY FORD HAD MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR ANYONE TO OWN A CAR. 00:45:38.466 --> 00:45:40.766 LENO: HENRY FORD MADE 16 MILLION OF THESE. 00:45:40.866 --> 00:45:44.733 AND IF YOU MADE ONE LITTLE PRODUCT THAT HE COULD USE OR BUY-- 00:45:44.833 --> 00:45:46.700 GERDES: THAT WAS HUGE, YEAH, AND AN INSTANT MARKET. 00:45:46.800 --> 00:45:48.700 HE SOLD 16 MILLION OF THEM, YOU KNOW, 00:45:48.800 --> 00:45:52.266 SO IT REALLY WAS A GAME-CHANGER. 00:45:52.366 --> 00:45:56.233 NARRATOR: AND REMEMBER THAT GREAT HORSE MANURE CRISIS? 00:45:56.333 --> 00:45:58.033 BY 1912, 00:45:58.133 --> 00:46:00.633 MANHATTAN'S FLY-INFESTED STREETS 00:46:00.733 --> 00:46:03.500 HAD VIRTUALLY EMPTIED OF HORSES 00:46:03.600 --> 00:46:06.166 AND FILLED UP WITH CARS. 00:46:07.566 --> 00:46:10.666 GERDES: AND SUDDENLY, THE ENTIRE WORLD AROUND US 00:46:10.766 --> 00:46:14.466 CHANGED IN A WAY THAT I THINK WOULD BE UNIMAGINABLE 00:46:14.566 --> 00:46:16.466 TO THE VERY FEW 00:46:16.566 --> 00:46:20.366 WHO COULD AFFORD A MOTOR VEHICLE IN 1900. 00:46:21.966 --> 00:46:24.466 HENRY FORD THINKS THIS COULD BE SOMETHING 00:46:24.566 --> 00:46:27.866 THAT EVERYBODY CAN OWN, AND WHEN EVERYBODY OWNS THIS, 00:46:27.966 --> 00:46:30.866 SUDDENLY OUR DEMANDS OF THE WORLD BECOME DIFFERENT. 00:46:30.966 --> 00:46:33.566 NOW, I WANT ROADS TO DRIVE ON. 00:46:33.666 --> 00:46:36.566 I NEED A GARAGE TO PARK MY CAR AT MY HOUSE. 00:46:36.666 --> 00:46:39.800 I NEED A PLACE TO PARK IT WHEN I GET TO WORK. 00:46:39.900 --> 00:46:42.966 THE WHOLE WAY CITIES WERE ENVISIONED 00:46:43.066 --> 00:46:45.700 CHANGED FUNDAMENTALLY. 00:46:45.800 --> 00:46:47.666 NARRATOR: THE CAR HAS REVOLUTIONIZED 00:46:47.766 --> 00:46:51.200 ALMOST EVERY ASPECT OF OUR LIVES, 00:46:51.300 --> 00:46:54.900 AND IT'S EVEN RESHAPED OUR WORLD. 00:46:56.900 --> 00:47:00.000 THE COMBUSTION ENGINE HAS BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL 00:47:00.100 --> 00:47:04.066 THAT IT'S CREATED A NEW ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS, 00:47:04.166 --> 00:47:06.433 ONE THAT WE ARE ON THE VERGE OF TACKLING, 00:47:06.533 --> 00:47:09.033 THANKS TO TWO THINGS YOU PROBABLY HAVE 00:47:09.133 --> 00:47:11.733 IN YOUR DESK DRAWER. 00:47:14.733 --> 00:47:19.033 TODAY, AUTOMOBILES EMIT 5.1 BILLION TONS 00:47:19.133 --> 00:47:22.300 OF CARBON DIOXIDE EVERY YEAR. 00:47:23.900 --> 00:47:26.000 IT'S PUSHED MANY TO LOOK ONCE AGAIN 00:47:26.100 --> 00:47:29.466 TO EDISON'S DREAM OF THE ELECTRIC CAR. 00:47:29.566 --> 00:47:32.866 WHILE BATTERY TECHNOLOGY HAS IMPROVED MASSIVELY 00:47:32.966 --> 00:47:38.233 SINCE EDISON'S DAY, IT STILL FACES SOME FAMILIAR ISSUES. 00:47:38.333 --> 00:47:40.533 RICHARD KANER: CURRENT ELECTRIC VEHICLES USE 00:47:40.633 --> 00:47:43.733 THE NEW LITHIUM ION BATTERIES, AND THESE BATTERIES 00:47:43.833 --> 00:47:46.566 HAVE A RANGE OF ABOUT 300 MILES. 00:47:46.666 --> 00:47:49.566 HOWEVER, THEY TAKE HOURS TO CHARGE, WHEREAS, 00:47:49.666 --> 00:47:52.966 IF YOU'RE FILLING IT WITH GAS, YOU SIMPLY GO INTO A GAS STATION 00:47:53.066 --> 00:47:55.366 AND WITHIN A COUPLE MINUTES, YOU'RE IN AND OUT. 00:47:56.966 --> 00:47:59.866 AND SO WHAT WE REALLY NEED IS A BATTERY THAT NOT ONLY GOES 00:47:59.966 --> 00:48:03.366 A LONG DISTANCE, BUT THAT CAN BE CHARGED VERY RAPIDLY. 00:48:03.466 --> 00:48:07.966 NARRATOR: THE ANSWER IS HIDDEN INSIDE A PENCIL. 00:48:08.066 --> 00:48:11.366 KANER: THE SO-CALLED LEAD IN PENCILS IS ESSENTIALLY 00:48:11.466 --> 00:48:14.366 A FORM OF CARBON CALLED GRAPHITE. 00:48:14.466 --> 00:48:17.400 IT HAS A HONEYCOMB STRUCTURE, AND IT'S LAYERED 00:48:17.500 --> 00:48:20.600 SO EACH LAYER IS STACKED ON TOP OF ANOTHER LAYER. 00:48:20.700 --> 00:48:24.600 NARRATOR: INSIDE EVERY PENCIL, BETWEEN EACH CARBON LAYER, 00:48:24.700 --> 00:48:27.200 THERE IS A CLOUD OF ELECTRONS. 00:48:27.300 --> 00:48:30.200 THIS GENERATES STATIC ELECTRIC CHARGE, 00:48:30.300 --> 00:48:33.400 AND THAT'S WHAT CAUSES THE GRAPHITE TO STICK 00:48:33.500 --> 00:48:35.600 TO THE PAPER WHEN YOU WRITE. 00:48:35.700 --> 00:48:38.800 GRAPHITE ALSO HAS AN EXCEPTIONAL CAPACITY 00:48:38.900 --> 00:48:42.766 TO CONDUCT ELECTRICITY, BUT ONLY IF YOU CAN GET IT DOWN 00:48:42.866 --> 00:48:47.366 TO A SINGLE LAYER OF CARBON CALLED GRAPHENE. 00:48:47.466 --> 00:48:49.966 KANER: GRAPHENE HAS BEEN CALLED "THE WONDER MATERIAL." 00:48:50.066 --> 00:48:52.366 IT'S 200 TIMES STRONGER THAN STEEL, 00:48:52.466 --> 00:48:55.966 IT HAS A REMARKABLE ABILITY TO CONDUCT ELECTRICITY, 00:48:56.066 --> 00:48:58.700 AND IT HAS EXTREMELY HIGH SURFACE AREA. 00:48:58.800 --> 00:49:01.733 THIS GIVES IT SOME INTERESTING APPLICATIONS, 00:49:01.833 --> 00:49:04.200 AND ONE IS ENERGY STORAGE. 00:49:04.300 --> 00:49:08.366 NARRATOR: BUT TO ACCESS GRAPHENE'S AMAZING PROPERTIES 00:49:08.466 --> 00:49:11.366 WOULD TAKE A ROLL OF STICKY TAPE. 00:49:11.466 --> 00:49:15.266 KANER: IN 2004, TWO PHYSICISTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER 00:49:15.366 --> 00:49:19.200 HAD THE IDEA OF TAKING PYROLYTIC GRAPHITE AND SCOTCH TAPE, 00:49:19.300 --> 00:49:22.200 AND THEY CONTINUED TO PEEL BACK AND FORTH. 00:49:22.300 --> 00:49:25.166 THE FIRST SAMPLES TOOK OVER A MONTH TO PRODUCE, 00:49:25.266 --> 00:49:27.966 BUT THEY EVENTUALLY PEELED GRAPHITE DOWN TO A SINGLE LAYER, 00:49:28.066 --> 00:49:31.033 SOMETHING THAT NO ONE THOUGHT COULD BE DONE. 00:49:31.133 --> 00:49:34.433 NARRATOR: THIS WAS AN AMAZING BREAKTHROUGH, 00:49:34.533 --> 00:49:37.433 BUT TO APPLY IT TO CARS 00:49:37.533 --> 00:49:40.433 MEANT OVERCOMING A BASIC PROBLEM. 00:49:40.533 --> 00:49:42.833 KANER: IF WE'RE GOING TO USE THIS FOR APPLICATIONS, 00:49:42.933 --> 00:49:44.833 WE'RE GOING TO NEED A LOT OF GRAPHENE, 00:49:44.933 --> 00:49:48.133 AND PEELING GRAPHITE WITH STICKY TAPE ISN'T GOING TO GET THERE, 00:49:48.233 --> 00:49:50.033 SO THAT'S WHERE CHEMISTRY COMES IN. 00:49:50.133 --> 00:49:54.200 NARRATOR: RICHARD, ALONG WITH Ph.D. STUDENT MAHER EL-KADY, 00:49:54.300 --> 00:49:56.933 DISCOVERED THEY COULD USE A SIMPLE LASER, 00:49:57.033 --> 00:49:59.733 LIKE THE ONE IN ANY DVD PLAYER, 00:49:59.833 --> 00:50:03.800 TO TURN A THIN LAYER OF GRAPHITE INTO GRAPHENE. 00:50:03.900 --> 00:50:07.000 THEY THEN CREATED DISTINCT PATTERNS IN IT 00:50:07.100 --> 00:50:10.400 THAT THEY HOPED WOULD STORE ELECTRICAL CHARGE. 00:50:10.500 --> 00:50:13.666 EL-KADY: I CHARGED IT UP FOR ONLY A COUPLE OF SECONDS... 00:50:16.666 --> 00:50:20.800 AND IT WAS ABLE TO LIGHT UP AN L.E.D. FOR OVER 5 MINUTES. 00:50:22.600 --> 00:50:25.300 AT THAT POINT, I CALLED RICK TO THE LAB AND I'M LIKE, 00:50:25.400 --> 00:50:27.666 "COME TAKE A LOOK AT THIS AMAZING EXPERIMENT." 00:50:29.333 --> 00:50:33.000 KANER: IT'S THE BEST MOMENT I THINK A SCIENTIST CAN HAVE, 00:50:33.100 --> 00:50:35.633 BECAUSE YOU REALIZE YOU'VE DONE SOMETHING IMPORTANT. 00:50:37.666 --> 00:50:40.833 NARRATOR: GRAPHENE IS STRONG, SO IT CAN BE BUILT 00:50:40.933 --> 00:50:45.033 INTO THE CAR'S BODYWORK, EFFECTIVELY TURNING 00:50:45.133 --> 00:50:48.433 THE WHOLE VEHICLE INTO A BATTERY. 00:50:48.533 --> 00:50:50.433 KANER: GRAPHENE IS A GAME-CHANGER. 00:50:50.533 --> 00:50:52.833 YOU'LL BE ABLE TO CHARGE YOUR CAR AS FAST AS YOU CAN 00:50:52.933 --> 00:50:54.933 FILL UP WITH GASOLINE. 00:50:56.533 --> 00:50:59.033 YOU'LL BE ABLE TO RUN YOUR VEHICLE TENS OF THOUSANDS 00:50:59.133 --> 00:51:01.900 OF TIMES, AND IN THE END, GRAPHENE IS 00:51:02.000 --> 00:51:05.466 A COMPOSTABLE MATERIAL, SO IT'S ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY. 00:51:08.200 --> 00:51:11.700 NARRATOR: IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE GRAPHENE IS USED 00:51:11.800 --> 00:51:14.266 TO POWER OUR AUTOMOBILES. 00:51:14.366 --> 00:51:16.600 WHEN COMBINED WITH THE LATEST BREAKTHROUGHS 00:51:16.700 --> 00:51:21.200 IN AUTONOMOUS TECHNOLOGY, WE WILL SOON HAVE ELECTRIC CARS 00:51:21.300 --> 00:51:24.800 THAT DRIVE THEMSELVES BETTER THAN THE BEST HUMANS 00:51:24.900 --> 00:51:27.800 OVER FAR GREATER DISTANCES, 00:51:27.900 --> 00:51:30.800 REVOLUTIONIZING THE CAR ONCE AGAIN. 00:51:30.900 --> 00:51:32.766 GERDES: IF I'M NOT STEERING, IF I'M NOT DRIVING, 00:51:32.866 --> 00:51:34.966 I WANT SOMETHING WHICH IS GOING TO BE COMFORTABLE. 00:51:35.066 --> 00:51:36.966 I WANT SOMETHING WHICH IS GOING TO BE QUIET. 00:51:37.066 --> 00:51:40.366 I WANT SOMETHING WHICH MAY ALLOW ME TO BE EITHER PRODUCTIVE 00:51:40.466 --> 00:51:42.766 OR COMPLETELY RELAXED, DEPENDING UPON MY MOOD 00:51:42.866 --> 00:51:44.466 AS I TAKE THIS TRIP. 00:51:45.933 --> 00:51:49.033 WHEN THE CAR IS ACTUALLY BEING DRIVEN BY A COMPUTER, 00:51:49.133 --> 00:51:51.033 THERE'S LOTS OF THINGS THAT WE DON'T NEED. 00:51:51.133 --> 00:51:53.400 WE DON'T NEED A STEERING WHEEL. WE DON'T NEED PEDALS. 00:51:53.500 --> 00:51:57.400 WE DON'T NEED THIS SORT OF HUMAN INTERFACE THAT WE HAVE TODAY AND 00:51:57.500 --> 00:52:02.466 THEN WE CAN THINK OF THE ENTIRE SHAPE OF THE CAR CHANGING. 00:52:02.566 --> 00:52:05.466 PEOPLE COULD SIT IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, THEY COULD FACE EACH 00:52:05.566 --> 00:52:08.600 OTHER, WE COULD HAVE INDIVIDUAL PODS ASSEMBLED TOGETHER 00:52:08.700 --> 00:52:11.400 THAT PEOPLE HAVE THEIR OWN PERSONAL SPACE. 00:52:11.500 --> 00:52:13.800 WE COULD HAVE DELIVERY VEHICLES THAT HAVE NO ROOM 00:52:13.900 --> 00:52:16.333 FOR HUMANS WHATSOEVER. 00:52:17.933 --> 00:52:21.800 ALL OF THESE THINGS CAN CHANGE ONCE THE VEHICLE IS AUTOMATED. 00:52:21.900 --> 00:52:24.800 [TIRES SQUEAL] 00:52:24.900 --> 00:52:27.766 NARRATOR: THE CAR IS THE CULMINATION OF 00:52:27.866 --> 00:52:31.066 A REMARKABLE JOURNEY, STRETCHING BACK 00:52:31.166 --> 00:52:33.733 THOUSANDS OF YEARS. 00:52:33.833 --> 00:52:37.033 FROM THE LATEST BREAKTHROUGH IN ELECTRICAL STORAGE 00:52:37.133 --> 00:52:41.366 THAT STARTED WITH A LEAD PENCIL AND SCOTCH TAPE; 00:52:41.466 --> 00:52:44.966 HENRY FORD'S OBSESSION WITH WATCHES; 00:52:45.066 --> 00:52:47.966 AND AN ENCOUNTER IN A CHICAGO SLAUGHTERHOUSE 00:52:48.066 --> 00:52:51.400 THAT MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR ANYONE TO OWN A CAR. 00:52:52.900 --> 00:52:55.766 THE DARING LONG-DISTANCE TEST DRIVE 00:52:55.866 --> 00:52:58.533 AND SUBVERSIVE MARKETING OF BERTHA BENZ 00:52:58.633 --> 00:53:01.600 THAT MADE THE CAR A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE 00:53:01.700 --> 00:53:03.600 TO THE HORSE AND CART, 00:53:03.700 --> 00:53:06.966 THE GLOBAL MANURE CRISIS THAT ULTIMATELY BROUGHT ABOUT 00:53:07.066 --> 00:53:10.366 THE END OF THE DOMINANCE OF THE HORSE, 00:53:10.466 --> 00:53:13.600 RIGHT BACK THROUGH BACKFIRING CANNONS, 00:53:13.700 --> 00:53:17.100 FLOODED 17th-CENTURY MINES, 00:53:17.200 --> 00:53:21.500 THE BRONZE AGE CHISEL, AND THE INVENTION OF THE AXLE 00:53:21.600 --> 00:53:24.800 THAT MADE WHEEL TRANSPORTATION POSSIBLE, 00:53:24.900 --> 00:53:28.000 ALL THE WAY BACK 9,000 YEARS 00:53:28.100 --> 00:53:30.400 TO THOSE EARLY ARCTIC SETTLERS, 00:53:30.500 --> 00:53:32.400 WHO, IN THEIR STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL, 00:53:32.500 --> 00:53:36.266 DOMESTICATED WOLVES TO PULL THEIR SLEDS 00:53:36.366 --> 00:53:39.900 AND GAVE RISE TO THE FIRST OVERLAND TRANSPORT. 00:53:41.500 --> 00:53:44.333 WITHOUT THEM AND ALL THEIR STORIES, 00:53:44.433 --> 00:53:47.066 YOU'D NEVER HAVE THE CAR. 00:53:52.066 --> 00:53:53.200 NARRATOR: NEXT TIME ON "BREAKTHROUGH," 00:53:53.300 --> 00:53:55.700 THE STORY OF HOW WE LEFT EARTH 00:53:55.800 --> 00:53:57.933 IS NOT WHAT YOU MIGHT EXPECT. 00:53:58.033 --> 00:54:00.700 IT WOULD TAKE AN EXPLOSIVE EXORCISM 00:54:00.800 --> 00:54:02.833 IN THE ANCIENT WORLD, 00:54:02.933 --> 00:54:06.533 A LEAP IN TECHNOLOGIES FOR FIGHTING FIRE, 00:54:06.633 --> 00:54:09.833 MECHANIZATION OF DAIRY FARMS, 00:54:09.933 --> 00:54:13.133 A PLOT TO KILL THE KING OF ENGLAND, 00:54:13.233 --> 00:54:15.900 TO CREATE A MACHINE WITH THE POWER 00:54:16.000 --> 00:54:18.366 TO BREAK FREE FROM EARTH'S GRAVITY-- 00:54:18.466 --> 00:54:19.666 THE ROCKET. 00:54:26.533 --> 00:54:29.033 TO ORDER "BREAKTHROUGH: THE IDEAS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD" 00:54:29.133 --> 00:54:34.033 ON DVD, VISIT shopPBS OR CALL 1-800-PLAY-PBS. 00:54:34.133 --> 00:54:38.033 THIS PROGRAM IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON AMAZON PRIME VIDEO. 00:54:38.133 --> 00:54:39.133 ♪