EPISODE 4: THE CAR – Premiere Date: Wednesday, May 8, 10-11 p.m. ET
Go for a ride through the 9,000-year history of the ultimate freedom machine: the car.
PBS, the preeminent go-to destination for engaging, enlightening and entertaining programming, brings viewers a mind-blowing, science-led journey through human history with its new weekly series,BREAKTHROUGH: THE IDEAS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD. Told through six iconic objects that modern people take for granted, the six-part series shows how science invention and technology built on one another to change everything.
On Wednesday, May 8 at 10-11 p.m. ET, tune into the premiere of the series’ fourth episode, “The Car,” to go for a ride through the 9,000-year history of humankind’s ultimate freedom machine. The car has transformed the world and revolutionized how humans live, and its development is an incredible story full of astonishing twists and unlikely turns. From its roots in dogsleds to Henry Ford’s affordable and assembly line-built Model T, viewers will also meet the scientists working on the next generation of self-driving automobiles.
Featured Visionaries:
Thomas Newcomen, British Engineer & Inventor
A Baptist preacher and blacksmith who invented the atmospheric steam engine – the first practical fuel-burning engine – in 1712. His invention led to the development of James Watt’s engine.
John “Iron-Mad” Wilkinson, English Industrialist
Pioneered the use of cast iron during the Industrial Revolution. His invention, the precision boring machine, created cast iron cylinders which were eventually used in James Watt’s steam engines.
James Watt, Scottish Inventor, Mechanical Engineer & Chemist
An instrument maker who invented the steam engine, which played an integral role in the Industrial Revolution. He improved Thomas Newcomen’s steam engine with his Watt steam engine in 1776.
Karl Friedrich Benz, German Engine Designer and Automobile Engineer
He invented the world’s first practical automobile powered by an internal-combustion engine – known as the Motorwagen or Motorcar – in 1885 and secured the patent – Benz Patent-Motorwagen Nummer 1 – in January 1886.
Bertha Benz, German Automotive Pioneer
She was the driver of the world’s first long distance test drive, the inventor of the world’s first brake pads and staged the world’s first automobile publicity stunt.
Henry Ford, American Industrialist & Founder of Ford Motor Company
Creator of one of the earliest prototypes of a gas-fueled vehicle called the Quadricycle, which helped solve New York City’s horse manure problem. He heavily promoted and sponsored factory production of automobiles resulting in his company producing a Model T an average of 24-seconds.
William “Pa” Klann, Ford Motor Company Production Engineer
A visit to Chicago’s Swift & Company’s slaughter house assembly line inspired the mass production of Henry Ford Motor Company’s auto parts.
On-Camera Experts:
Alice Roberts, Osteoarcheologist, Anatomist, Author & Broadcaster
Danny Forster, Architect
Robert Hurford, Wheelwright/Chariot Maker
Jim Al-Khalili, Professor of Theoretical Physics University of Surrey
Jutta Kleinschmidt, German Race Car Driver
Chris Geddes, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University
Jay Leno, Car Enthusiast/Collector and TV Personality
Richard Kaner, Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry, UCLA
BREAKTHROUGH: THE IDEAS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD is a six-part series documenting how humans changed the world forever. Taking viewers through a mind-blowing journey through human history, the series is told through six iconic objects that modern people take for granted. Each object – the telescope, airplane, robot, car, rocket and smart phone – is the culmination of a long-held human dream to explore, communicate and find one’s place in the universe.
Through incredible, lesser-known stories of familiar history, the series captures the secrets of the modern world through surprising accidents, colorful characters, joy and despair. Often stretching to the beginning of human civilization itself, each hour-long episode shares thousands of years of thought, struggle, determination and insight. Featuring passionate visionaries who faced triumphs and challenges – ridicule, poverty and in some cases, death – these revolutionary individuals advanced humankind with breakthrough after breakthrough. The series reveals how science, invention and technology built on one another to change everything – a process that continues to this very day.
A new episode of BREAKTHROUGH: THE IDEAS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD debuts every Wednesday at 10-11 p.m. ETon PBS, PBS.org and the PBS Video App (check local listings). The series is available for streaming simultaneously on all station-branded PBS platforms, including PBS.org and the PBS Video App, available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Chromecast. PBS station members will be available to view all episodes via Passport (contact your local PBS station for details). Beginning July 9, 2019, the series will be available on DVD and via digital download from PBS Distribution at shopPBS.org.
BREAKTHROUGH: THE IDEAS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD is a production of BIGGER BANG COMMUNICATIONS, LTD. The executive producers are Ben Bowie and Iain Riddick, and the series producer is Tim Green. The series is narrated by Patrick Stewart.
ABOUT PBS
PBS, with nearly 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 90 million people through television and 30 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. Decades of research confirms that PBS’ premier children’s media service, PBS KIDS, helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality educational content on TV – including a 24/7 channel, online at pbskids.org, via an array of mobile apps and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.
