The Secret Life of Machines

» Season 1
100%
1 votes

1x01 The Vacuum Cleaner

January 1, 1988 12:00 am
Models: Three different kinds (cylinder, upright, hybrid) of cut away vacuums. Homemade solenoid. Plastic bag car jack.

Machines: Tim's automated hair raising, eye rolling portrait. Tim's "Common Ground" collecting box which simulates different footprints using a vacuum and a sheet of rubber.

Guests: An array of ineffective hand powered vaccuums.

Films: Singin hoover ad from the 30's.

Extro: Flying vacuums!
NR
0 votes

1x02 The Sewing Machine

January 1, 1988 12:00 am
Models: A giant human powered lock stitcher demonstrates the basic idea. A cut away singer shows how a crank powers all the basic functions. A demonstration of cams and stepper motors.

Machines: Three of Tim's famous collecting boxes: The head scratching curator the rubber-necked guard and the doctor that writes out illegible prescriptions. There are some brief close ups of the construction of these machines. Rex also shows his magical remote controlled suitcase.

Guests: A thumb crushing Thimmonier (the 1st practical sewing machine) Many antique decorative sewing machines.

Films: The old Singer advert from the 40's is probably the funniest clip in this series.

Extro: Say it in thread.
90%
1 votes

1x03 The Central Heating System

January 1, 1988 12:00 am
Models: Trying to start a fire with an electric drill. A Norman chimney vs a proper one. A life size 2 dimensional house model with radiators and boiler. A glass radiator. A balanced flue.

Machines: Jacob's ladders by Rex.

Guests: Solid fuel, oil and natural gas boilers.

Films: Yet another silly 40's promotional film, this one for the Ascot gas boiler.

Extro: The model house springs a leak.
NR
0 votes

1x04 The Washing Machine

January 1, 1988 12:00 am
Models: Solenoid valves and pressure switches explained. Various cut away washing machines and their ingredients: weighted base, heating element, pumps, timer.

Machines: A thunder simulator by Tim. A stunt by Rex using a solenoid cannon to roll a car. One of the best of Tim's collecting boxes, the Chiropodist who nods, twiddles her thumbs and then dissapears and tickles your foot (automatic british mickey taking at it's best).

Guests: Again, lots of antique specimins (including the canadian shocker!). Industrial washing machines and the way they deal with the eccentricities of a load of water.

Extro: A mountain of washing machines.
NR
0 votes

1x05 The Refrigerator

January 1, 1988 12:00 am
Models: Disassembling a compressor. Demonstration of thermostat Machines: Rex's homemade air rifle. Tim's elaborate wall mounted water clock.

Guests: Early ice box. A turn of the century ammonia refrigerent ice factory. Various early fridges.

Archival: GE film from 1935 starring Bette Davis. Hilarious old promo from 1957 with a woman hugging her fridge! Goofy commercial involving an elephant and an old style fridge.

Extro: Stop motion fridges.

Notes: Watch Tim struggle with the CO^2 pipe.
NR
0 votes

1x06 The Television Set

January 1, 1988 12:00 am
Models: TV scanning is demonstrated with a drawing made on many strands of string. A cutaway TV and cards that mimic the screening of a colour TV. Explanation of the simplest electronic components.

Machines: Tim's displays at the National Film and Television Museum (UK)

Guests: British TV sets from before and after WWII.

Films: Zworykin interview. J.L. Baird cartoon.

Extro: A mountain of live televisions set on fire.
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