In 1939, Practical Mechanics responded to the start of the Second World War by showing its readers how to build their own air raid shelter.
The design had similarities with the Anderson Shelter, a build-at-home structure made from corrugated steel, to protect from flying bomb debris; that saved many lives during the Blitz. To get some inspiration, Ivan and Jenny make a poignant trip to see a real life Anderson Shelter at a nearby War Museum.
The team decide to reinvent the Anderson Shelter as a hi-tech garden shed, with solar panels and grow lights.
Engineers Jenny and Ellis are paired together to work on the second reinvention project – a pedal-powered washing machine.
It's a design that could have a real purpose in the modern world, as more than 60% of the world's population don't have access to an electric washing machine; could pedal-power offer a solution?
The pair decide to make a washing and drying machine, made from scrap parts sourced from a local reclamation yard.
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