Building Big
How does a bridge withstand the forces of nature and traffic? How does a dome support itself? What does it take to erect a skyscraper 100 stories tall? How does a dam resist the crush of millions of gallons of water? What keeps a tunnel from collapsing? Building Big is a five-part PBS documentary series hosted by David Macaulay, exploring some of spectacular structures from Roman times to the modern era - in five categories: bridges, domes, skyscrapers, dams, and tunnels. Macaulay highlights the engineering principles and human stories behind some of the most remarkable achievements in the history of building.
| Episode 1 - Bridges |
Episode 1 - Bridges
How does a bridge withstand the forces of nature and traffic? David Macaulay takes viewers from the stone arch bridges of the Roman Empire to Japan's giant, all-steel Akashi Kaikyo suspension bridge, the longest in the world.
Episode 2 - Domes
How does a dome support itself? Ever since the Roman Emperor Hadrian topped his Pantheon with a dome, this roof-with-class has been the prestige building form.
Episode 3 - Skyscrapers
What does it take to erect a skyscraper 100 stories tall? From the medieval towers of Italy's San Gimignano to today's race to build the world's tallest skyscraper, David Macaulay chronicles our aptitude for altitude.
Episode 4 - Dams
How does a dam resist the crush of millions of gallons of water? David Macaulay surveys the dam from Hoover's concrete arch confronting the Colorado River to the Aswan High Dam.
Episode 5 - Tunnels
What keeps a tunnel from collapsing? David Macaulay takes viewers underground to explore the history and ingenuity behind some of the world's tunneling marvels.
| Related Links |
| Big, Bigger, Biggest (Season 1) This is a four-part documentary series exploring the engineering breakthroughs behind the world's biggest structures - Burj Dubai, USS Nimitz, Japan's Akashi Bridge, and London Heathrow Airport. |
| Seven Wonders of the Industrial World This is a BBC documentary miniseries examining seven epic engineering feats of the Industrial age such as the SS Great Eastern, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Bell Rock Lighthouse. |
| Richard Hammond's Engineering Connections This is a documentary series presented by Richard Hammond, looking at how engineers and designers use historic inventions and clues from the natural world in ingenious ways to develop new buildings and machines. |
| Ancient Megastructures This is a National Geographic documentary series discovering the secrets of revolutionary structures in ancient megastructures. |
| Engineering an Empire This is a History Channel documentary series hosted by Peter Weller, exploring the engineering feats accomplished by some of the great civilizations in history. |