Richard Hammond's Engineering Connections

1. Airbus A380

Sep 8, 2008

Nicknamed the Superjumbo, the Airbus A380 passenger airliner is the largest in history. It's packed with cutting-edge technology but owes its very existence to the most unlikely connections – a Mongolian bow and a 19th century rocket.

2. Taipei 101

Sep 15, 2008

Heading to Taipei, Richard discovers the secrets of one of the world’s tallest buildings, Taipei 101. How is this tower connected to a birdcage, bamboo, racing yachts, sports cars and seat belts? This journey of discovery takes him from the mines of 18th century England to almost half a kilometre into the sky at some 64 kilometres per hour (that’s around a 37 second trip!)

3. Deep Space Observer

Sep 22, 2008

Richard looks at the history embedded in the Keck Observatory. How could a sand-blaster, a Cold War spy gadget and the invention of refrigerators have led to the creation of this super telescope? And using just a satellite dish and some foil is it possible to set fire to a boat? Richard experiments.

4. Super Rig

Sep 29, 2008

Richard braves the stormy North Sea to visit the incredible Troll-A Platform – the largest object ever moved across the earth’s surface by man – and learns firsthand how a single musical note could have spelt catastrophe for the Troll-A.

1. Wembley Stadium

Sep 7, 2009

Richard kicks off proceedings at Wembley Stadium, the high-tech home of English football. No one can deny the magnificence of Wembley, but how is its towering arch inspired by a medieval crossbow and how did a simple rock climbers’ knot help engineers raise it into place? Richard tracks down the answers – and finds out how experts preserved the famous ‘Wembley Roar’.

2. Sydney Opera House

Sep 14, 2009

Towering over Sydney Harbour, the famous Opera House is one of the most recognisable and iconic buildings in the world. Richard heads Down Under, takes a stroll along the incredible structure’s roof, learns how its unique “sails” work on the same principles as a simple child’s collapsible toy, and discovers a bizarre engineering connection with a First World War gas mask.

3. HMS Illustrious

Sep 21, 2009

Presenter Richard Hammond looks at engineering achievements and how they were brought about by technological innovation. He climbs aboard the mighty aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious, which, at 209 metres long, is a floating airport, a city, battleship and strike carrier, all in one.

4. Guggenheim, Bilbao

Sep 28, 2009

Presenter Richard Hammond looks at engineering achievements and how they were brought about by technological innovation. Discover how a trundle wheel, Russian submarines and a Hawaiian volcano helped architect Frank Gehry design one of the world's most iconic buildings.

5. Millau Bridge

Oct 5, 2009

Richard uncovers why an ancient Celtic boat-building technique was crucial to the development of the tallest road bridge in the world.

6. Hong Kong Airport

Oct 11, 2009

Discover how a brass band, a WWII bomber and a vintage racing car contributed to the construction of one of the world's biggest airports.

6. Bullet Train

Jun 12, 2011

Richard Hammond reveals the surprising engineering connections in Japan's Bullet Train, the world's first high speed train. It could not run without ancient charioteers, a crowbar, a medieval clock, the electric telegraph, and a 19th century luxury racing car.