How Do They Do It? - Episode Guide

How do they deliver electricity into the heart of London? How do they use NASA technology to make a perfect pizza in minutes? How do they turn pine trees into playhouses?

Season 13

Baklavas, Gyroplanes, Ukeleles, and Catamarans

Episode: 13x01 | Airdate: Oct 2, 2015

Find out how baklava is made, how pilots fly a gyroplane, how a ukulele is crafted, and what it takes to build the world's fastest ferry.

Longboards, Lemonade, and Forklifts

Episode: 13x02 | Airdate: Oct 2, 2015

Find out how longboards are made, what it takes to turn lemons into lemonade, and how a forklift is built.

Coffee, Bricks, Lava Lamps, and Diamonds

Episode: 13x03 | Airdate: Oct 9, 2015

Find out how coffee is raosted, how the bricks that built America are built, how lava lamps are made, and how they diamonds are mined from an extinct volcano.

Cameras, Big Airbags, and Jelly Beans

Episode: 13x04 | Airdate: Oct 9, 2015

Find out how the world's sharpest photos are taken, what it takes to create an airbag that can catch a falling care, and how jelly beans are made.

Caravans, Tuning Forks, Ice Resurfacers, and Festival of Lights

Episode: 13x05 | Airdate: Oct 16, 2015

Find out how to build the world's toughest mobile home, how an ice rink is resurfaced in minutes, how tuning forks are made, and how they put on the world's biggest festival of lights.

Vinyl LP; The Dodgem; Tiger Balm

Episode: 13x06 | Airdate: Oct 16, 2015

How do they make the groovy vinyl LP? How do they build the world's most crashed car, the dodgem? How do they create one of the world's oldest pain remedies, tiger balm?

Nonalcoholic Beer; Tomkar; Escalators; Lie Detectors

Episode: 13x07 | Airdate: Oct 23, 2015

How do they brew a beer that won't make you drunk? How do they build a car that flies over rocks and boulders? How do they make escalators? How do lie detectors work?

Axes; Courier's Messenger Bag; Lifeboats

Episode: 13x08 | Airdate: Oct 23, 2015

How do they forge one of the great inventions, the axe? How do they cut, sew, stitch and glue together a courier's messenger bag, and how do they build the fastest lifeboats?

Wensleydale Cheese; Paintbrushes; Eucalyptus oil

Episode: 13x09 | Airdate: Oct 30, 2015

How to churn out Wensleydale cheese, turn pig hair into the world's finest paintbrushes, and distil aromatic oils from eucalyptus.

Tesla Model S; Horses Tails Fabrics; Automated Pool Cleaner

Episode: 13x10 | Airdate: Oct 30, 2015

How to build the 700 horsepower Tesla Model S, turn horses' tails into fine fabrics, and clean the largest swimming pools in the world?

Snails; Cutlery; Kayaks

Episode: 13x11 | Airdate: Nov 6, 2015

How France's appetite for snails is sated, how slabs of steel are turned into shiny cutlery, and how to craft a kayak you can paddle with your feet.

Emergency Bridges; Permanent Markers; Superbike

Episode: 13x12 | Airdate: Nov 6, 2015

How to build emergency bridges that can take the weight of a tank, make a marker pen that never fades, and design a 200mph superbike.

Glasses Of Wine; LED TVs; The Deepest Pool; Ketchup

Episode: 13x13 | Airdate: Nov 13, 2015

How to blow the world's finest crystal, make the slimmest TVs, heat the deepest swimming pool, and fill a million bottles a day of the world's favourite ketchup.

Crushing Machine; Aviator Jacket; Beer Lambic

Episode: 13x14 | Airdate: Nov 13, 2015

How to brew the oldest beer in the western world, stitch the historic airman's bomber, and forge a set of jaws that can chomp through concrete and demolish tower blocks.

Cooling of the building; Saws; Microphones

Episode: 13x15 | Airdate: Nov 20, 2015

The complex technological processes involved in cooling the iconic Sydney Opera House. Plus, an insight into how Sheffield steel is transformed into a carpenter's handsaw, and the production of a microphone capable of picking up a whisper.

Moonshine; Battery-Powered Bicycle; Wetsuit

Episode: 13x16 | Airdate: Nov 20, 2015

Tips for brewing moonshine in the heart of New York City. Plus, the creation of a battery-powered bicycle, and producing wetsuits using rubber grown in the Arizona desert.

Mining Rare Gemstones; Cowboy Boots; Sweepers

Episode: 13x17 | Airdate: Nov 27, 2015

The complex technological processes involved in mining rare gemstones, crafting classic cowboy boots and building large-scale road-sweepers.

Duvets; Oil Well Drilling; Rubber

Episode: 13x18 | Airdate: Nov 27, 2015

How engineers manage to drill for oil thousands of metres below ground. Plus, how duvets and rubber bands are made.

Diesel Aircraft Engine; Pastilles Cough; Ice Cream

Episode: 13x19 | Airdate: Dec 4, 2015

The complex processes that allow people to build diesel engines that can fly, make cough sweets, turn clear plastic into unforgeable bank notes, and produce ice-cream.

Armoured Vehicles; Christmas Trees; Musical Plates

Episode: 13x20 | Airdate: Dec 4, 2015

The engineering expertise that goes into transforming a family car into a fortress on wheels. Plus, how to grow millions of perfect Christmas trees.

Season 14

Aluminium Cans, Cuckoo Clocks, Paddleboards

Episode: 14x01 | Airdate: Aug 22, 2018 (22 min)

How do they turn used aluminium cans into planes and rockets? Plus, how do they carve the traditional Black Forest cuckoo clock?

Car Shredder, Sarees, Worcestershire Sauce

Episode: 14x02 | Airdate: Aug 22, 2018 (22 min)

How do they build the ultimate car crushing colossus? Plus, how do Lea and Perrins concoct their Worcestershire sauce?

Mardi Gras Floats, Rock Candy, Artificial Teeth

Episode: 14x03 | Airdate: Aug 23, 2018 (22 min)

A look at how the amazing, and massive, decorations on Mardi Gras carnival floats are created, how rock candy is twisted together, and a look at how dentures are made.

Helmets, Tea, District Heating

Episode: 14x04 | Airdate: Aug 23, 2018 (22 min)

How do they harvest and treat the world's most expensive tea? Plus, how does the Siekierki power plant of Warsaw, Poland heat half the city's homes?

Royal Enfield, Art Fraud, Milk

Episode: 14x05 | Airdate: Aug 24, 2018 (22 min)

How do they engineer the latest incarnation of the classic Royal Enfield Continental GT motorbike? Plus, how do 'art detectives' spot a forgery?

Crash Testing, Delftware, Umbrellas

Episode: 14x06 | Airdate: Aug 24, 2018 (22 min)

How do they blend science and destruction at crash test centres? And how do they piece together the complex mechanism of a pocket sized umbrella?

Iron Ore, Wave Flume, Chandeliers

Episode: 14x07 | Airdate: Aug 27, 2018 (22 min)

How do they extract iron ore from one of the most remote mines on the planet? And how do they make chandeliers that are fit for a queen?

Oyster Knives, Stadium Lights, Diamonds

Episode: 14x08 | Airdate: Aug 27, 2018 (22 min)

How do they forge the blades to crack open oyster shells? Plus, how do scientists in a lab grow the synthetic diamonds of the future?

Cheddar Cheese, CPR Mannequins

Episode: 14x09 | Airdate: Aug 28, 2018 (22 min)

How do they make cheddar, the world's most popular cheese? How do they breathe life into Rususci Anne - the plastic woman that teaches CPR?

Ford Transits, Driza-bone, Saltfish

Episode: 14x10 | Airdate: Aug 28, 2018 (22 min)

How do Ford produce the ubiquitous white van, the Transit? Plus, how do they ensure the Driza-bone coat lives up to its name?

Wood Stoves, Indigo, Synthesiser

Episode: 14x11 | Airdate: Aug 29, 2018 (22 min)

How do they make wood burning stoves that bring warmth to the bleak Norwegian winter? Plus, how do build the synthesiser that changed music forever?

Morgan Cars, Bamboo Cotton, Toilets

Episode: 14x12 | Airdate: Aug 29, 2018 (22 min)

How do they assemble the reinvented Morgan 3 Wheeler? Plus, how do they protect firefighters' hands from heat, flame and chemical attack?

Wind Turbines, Car Tyres, Mushrooms

Episode: 14x13 | Airdate: Aug 30, 2018 (22 min)

How do they make wind turbines with twice the wingspan of a Boeing? Plus, how do they mould car tyres from the ooze of a tree?

Ammo, Dental Drill, Road Markings

Episode: 14x14 | Airdate: Aug 30, 2018 (22 min)

How do they make the tank piercing super bullet? Plus, how do they forge the infamous torture weapon, the dentist's drill?

Floating Power Stations, Small Aircrafts

Episode: 14x15 | Airdate: Aug 31, 2018 (22 min)

How do they make giant floating power stations that provide power around the world? Plus, how do they fabricate the world's smallest aircraft?

Coloured Crayons, Artisan Mirrors

Episode: 14x16 | Airdate: Aug 31, 2018 (22 min)

How do they create coloured crayons used by children and artists around the world? Plus, how do artisans and craftsmen create treasured mirrors in India?

Electric Race Cars, Mead

Episode: 14x17 | Airdate: Sep 3, 2018 (22 min)

How do they power the next generation of race cars that run on electricity? Plus, how do they make mead - the favourite drink of the infamous Vikings?

Steam-powered Paddleboats, The Waterwall

Episode: 14x18 | Airdate: Sep 3, 2018 (22 min)

How do they build the famous steam-powered paddleboats that cruise the Mississippi River? How did they create the powerful defence system called 'the waterwall'?

Paving Stones, Tailored Tuxedo Suit

Episode: 14x19 | Airdate: Sep 4, 2018 (22 min)

How do they make modern paving stones and how has the process changed over thousands of years? Plus, how do they create a traditionally tailored tuxedo suit?

Fire Gloves, Enamel Bakewear

Episode: 14x20 | Airdate: Sep 4, 2018 (22 min)

How do they fabricate fire gloves for emergency services personnel? Plus, how do they create the enamel that is used in bake-wear around the world?

Season 15

Tweed, Turntables and Hakarl

Episode: 15x01 | Airdate: Oct 8, 2019

How do the islanders of the Outer Hebrides use pedal power to weave world-famous Harris tweed? And, in Iceland, how do they prepare fermented shark?

Beds, Space Freighters, and Underground Farms

Episode: 15x02 | Airdate: Oct 8, 2019

How do they make the world's most expensive and luxurious beds? And, how do they deliver supplies and equipment to the International Space Station?

Hats, Folding Bicycle and Skyr

Episode: 15x03 | Airdate: Oct 9, 2019

How do they make the distinctive Borsalino hat worn by Indiana Jones? And, how do they make a bicycle which can fold up to a tenth the size of a...

Guitars, Caviar and Racing

Episode: 15x04 | Airdate: Oct 9, 2019

How do they make the world's most famous electric guitar, the Fender Stratocaster? And, how do they make Swedish fermented cod roe Kalles caviar?

Leaning Tower of Pisa, Eider Down and Digestive Biscuits

Episode: 15x05 | Airdate: Oct 11, 2019

It's been tipping over for 800 years - what's the gravity-defying magic behind Pisa's leaning tower? And, how are chocolate digestive biscuits manufactured?

Parchment, Shuttlecock, Salt

Episode: 15x06 | Airdate: Oct 11, 2019

How did the ancient Greeks invent parchment with techniques still used today? And how do they make shuttlecocks, the fasting moving object in sport?

Ballpoint Pen, Ration and Mat

Episode: 15x07 | Airdate: Oct 14, 2019

How do they make some world's smoothest writing ballpoint pens that don't leak or fade? And, how do they make pizza for soldiers on the frontline?

Violins, Milk Deliveries and Pumice

Episode: 15x08 | Airdate: Oct 14, 2019

In Cremona, how do they make modern violins that sound as good as the legendary Stradivarius? And, how do they build houses with volcanic rock?

Super Yachts, Space Suits and Katsuobushi

Episode: 15x09 | Airdate: Oct 15, 2019

How does a Dutch company make the world's fastest superyachts? And, how do they make a new space suit that weighs and costs the fifth of the previous design?

Parma Ham, Underground Signs and Rowing Machines

Episode: 15x10 | Airdate: Oct 15, 2019

How is Parma ham, the most famous ham in the world, made? Plus, how do they make rowing machines, and how are the iconic London Underground signs made?

Airport and Sun-dried Tomatoes

Episode: 15x11 | Airdate: Oct 16, 2019

How do planes take off and land on a beach at one of the world's oldest airports? And, how do they hand-make the national dress of Bavaria, lederhosen?

Lobster Fishing and Sofas

Episode: 15x12 | Airdate: Oct 16, 2019

How do they catch the world's largest lobsters? How do they build the iconic chesterfield sofa? And, how do they capture the world's sharpest TV pictures?

Weather Factory and Gloves

Episode: 15x13 | Airdate: Oct 17, 2019

How do they take a car from Siberia to the Sahara without leaving Germany? Plus, how do they hand craft a baseball glove that will last a lifetime?

Newspapers, Socks and Juice

Episode: 15x14 | Airdate: Oct 17, 2019

How do they print over 10 million copies a day of the world's best-selling newspaper? How do they knit 32,000 pairs of socks a day at South Africa's biggest sock...

Raisins, Washi Paper and Showers

Episode: 15x15 | Airdate: Oct 18, 2019

How do they produce 99% of America's raisins in California's San Joaquin Valley? Plus, how do they make the world's oldest type of paper?

Charcoal, Soba and Vaulting Poles

Episode: 15x16 | Airdate: Oct 18, 2019

How do they use ancient techniques and modern technology to produce thousands of tonnes of barbecue charcoal? How do they cook up Japan's soba noodles?

Pearls, Damascus Steel Knives and Hippo Rollers

Episode: 15x17 | Airdate: Oct 22, 2019

How do they grow America's only freshwater pearls in Tennessee? How are the world's sharpest knives made, and how do they forge the world's sharpest knives?

Sugar Beets, Feather Dusters, and Balloons

Episode: 15x18 | Airdate: Oct 22, 2019

How do they turn ugly root vegetables into sweet sugar? How do they make feather dusters? And, how do they make billions of balloons to keep parties popping?

Pencils, Licorice, and Lace

Episode: 15x19 | Airdate: Oct 25, 2019

How do they turn trees into billions of pencils? How do they make liquorice? And, how do they use traditional techniques to weave the world's most fashionable lace?

Platinum, Manga, and Limoncello

Episode: 15x20 | Airdate: Oct 25, 2019

How do they mine one of the world's most valuable metals, platinum? How do they produce manga comics? How do they turn lemons into an Italian after-dinner drinks?