Re-Inventors Episode Descriptors

THE RE-INVENTORS

Season 1 and 2

SEASON 1

Episode 1001 – Floatation Suit Ever since the first boat was pushed out onto the water, drowning has been a peril of sea travel. Over the years, inventors hoping to avoid this fate created pedal-powered buoys and shoes to help people walk on water. But how successful would inventions like these have been? Join the Re-Inventors as they build and test some late 19th-century and early 20th-century inventions to see for themselves if they would have truly improved the odds for shipwrecked sailors and travellers lost at sea.

Episode 1002 – Head Parachute Getting people out of burning buildings has been a challenge for inventors and designers for hundreds of years. In that time, inventors around the world have pulled out all the stops trying to come up with a practical solution. Watch as the Re-Inventors build and test some of the more creative ways to escape a flaming building; would strapping a parachute to your head and jumping from a window actually increase your chance of surviving a fire?

Episode 1003 – Gun Helmet War seems to bring out some of the most innovative inventions; however, not all of them are as useful as they first appear to be. Join the Re-Inventors as they build and test a WWI era gun helmet to see who would have been more in danger, the target or the user.

Episode 1004 – Flying Machine Humans searched for thousands of years to find a way to fly, and at the dawn of the 20th century they finally figured out how to achieve heavier-than-air flight. There were many ideas, however, that came crashing down before this level of success was reached. Watch as the Re-Inventors build and test some of these inventions to see if someone else could have beat the Wright Brothers to the sky.

Episode 1005 – Flying Car With the advent of airplanes and automobiles in the beginning of the 20th century, an idea emerged that a marriage of the two would create the ultimate travel vehicle for the average person. Is it feasible, or even possible, to create a flying car that the average person could afford? Join the Re-Inventors as they look at the options and even construct a flying car to see if it’s the next big thing, or destined for the junk pile. Episode 1006 – Incinerating Toilet Proper disposal of sewage and waste is something all societies face if they are to prevent the spread of disease and epidemics. As populations have increased over the years, so have ideas for disposal, removal, and processing of waste. Join the Re-Inventors as they examine and build some of these inventions to find out which are good and which are, well, crappy.

SEASON 2

Episode 2007 – da Vinci Gun Since war became a part of human life, inventors have sought to create more efficient killing machines. Even Leonardo da Vinci, best known for his works of art, designed weapons of war, including the world’s first 12-barrelled “machine gun”. Join the Re-Inventors as they put da Vinci’s gun to the test and discover whether or not more firepower means better results.

Episode 2008 – Monowheel Since bicycles were invented, people have been trying to make them better, faster, and more efficient. In this episode of The Re-Inventors, Matt and Jeremy test out a design for a monowheel, a pedaled vehicle with one giant wheel that the rider sits in the center of. Will the Re-Inventors discover the next big thing in transportation, or will they just spin out of control?

Episode 2009 – Panjandrum What has ten-foot high wheels, is propelled by rockets, and will explode when it hits a concrete wall? The Panjandrum, of course! This invention, created by Allied forces during the Second World War, was intended to break through enemy defenses, but no matter how many tests it was put through they just couldn’t get it to work. Can the Re-Inventors figure out where the Allies went wrong or will the Panjandrum crash and burn?

Episode 2010 – Islamic Windmill For hundreds of years, windmills have been used to harness the wind's power and use it to mankind’s advantage. When most people think of windmills, the popular Dutch tower model comes to mind. In this episode of The Re-Inventors, the team digs out the plans of an Islamic designed windmill that was invented at least 400 years before the stereotypical Dutch type. Will Matt and Jeremy’s windmill grind enough grain for a loaf of bread or are they better off heading to the nearest bakery?

Episode 2011 – Solar Crematorium With the population of the earth increasing steadily, and resources quickly being consumed, environmentally conscious inventions are on the rise. In the late 1980s, one eco-friendly inventor came up with the idea for a Solar Crematorium, an invention that used the light of the sun to cremate dead bodies. Watch as the Re-Inventors test out this invention to see if they can help save the world one funeral at a time.

Episode 2012 – Chinese Flamethrower The discovery of fire is considered one of mankind’s greatest achievements, used not only to improve living conditions, but also to destroy. One of the most dangerous inventions the Re-Inventors have tackled yet is one of the world’s first flamethrowers, an ancient Chinese invention. Will the Re-Inventors claim the flamethrower to be a roaring success or will their latest invention go up in smoke?

Episode 2013 - da Vinci Tank While Leonardo da Vinci is best known for his beautiful works of art, he was also a great inventor, designing everything from flying machines to instruments of war. Join the Re-inventors as they attempt to build one of da Vinci’s most ambitious projects, a circular, human-powered, 20-foot wide wooden tank. Could this innovative design have changed the course of military history or will Matt and Jeremy discover that this massive machine is not as scary as it looks?

Episode 2014 – da Vinci Chariot The chariot had already been in existence for thousands of years before da Vinci’s time when he decided that the design deserved an upgrade. Equipped with 5-foot long spinning blades, da Vinci’s chariot would have been a terrifying sight charging down the battlefield, but how would it have stood up against weapons of its time? Would his chariot have found a place on the 15th-century battlefield? Matt and Jeremy are going to build it and find out.

Episode 2015 - Four-Armed Catapult For thousands of years, catapults and trebuchets were the reigning champs on the battlefield, continually proving themselves a force to be reckoned with. While the standard catapult tossed one massive projectile at enemy forces, designs were made for a four-armed catapult that had the potential to massively increase the firepower of an army. When the Re-Inventors are through building this four- armed catapult, will they find that four projectiles are better than one or will they learn that less is, in fact, more? Episode 2016 – Roman Crane Ancient structures like the Coliseum and Hadrian’s Wall give testament to the skill and knowledge that builders had thousands of years ago. Join the Re- Inventors as they give due to the power behind these creations—the Roman Crane. This massive piece of equipment, powered by a human-sized hamster wheel, was responsible for building some of the most impressive structures in history. Matt and Jeremy have a few questions, though: How did it work? How much could it lift? The Re-Inventors are going to build it and find out.

Episode 2017 – Chinese Rocket The first to discover gunpowder, the Chinese were also the first to design and construct a multi-stage rocket. According to historical records, the “Fire Dragon Issuing from the Water” was capable of a flight of approximately one kilometer before it deployed its second stage, a mouthful of Fire Arrows. Building with historical materials, can Matt and Jeremy recreate this weapon? Will the Fire Dragon fly again?

Episode 2018 – Human Propulsion Humans are constantly searching for ways to propel themselves forward, making personal travel faster, easier and more fun. In the winter, people put on their skates or strap skis to their boots and shoot across the ice and snow. Join the Re-Inventors as they unearth two patents that have them adding rockets, jets and propellers to these tried-and-true winter sports and trying not to get blown up in the process!

Episode 2019 – Invention War Throughout this season of The Re-Inventors, Matt and Jeremy have recreated inventions, striving for historical accuracy. What happens when we let them break all the rules and use anything they can get their hands on? How far will the blast of the upgraded flamethrower’s fire reach? Will the newly armored da Vinci Tank be able to withstand the revamped catapult’s rapid-fire shots? The Re-Inventors can’t wait to find out.

Episode 2020 – Snow Annihilator For those living in northern climates, massive amounts of snow can make travelling in the winter a perilous task. Regular snowplows can leave ridges on the road, and huge piles of snow left over after the roads have been cleared. Enter the Snow Annihilator. Designed in the 1930s, its inventor claims that this machine has all the answers to winter road maintenance. But can it live up to these claims? Join the Re-Inventors as they build and test this mighty machine against a powerful force—a Canadian winter.

Episode 2021 – Bulletproof Protection In World War I, soldiers faced an increasingly deadly environment; rifles were better than ever before, automatic machine guns dominated the battlefield, and life expectancy on the Western Front was terrifyingly short. In this episode of The Re-Inventors, Matt and Jeremy build and test a bulletproof enclosure and a combination helmet and shield, two designs put forth during WWI in an attempt to aid the common soldier. Would these heavy metal structures have been able to save lives, or would their cumbersome designs have been more of a hindrance than a help?

Episode 2022 - Fire Fighting Throughout history, inventors have been looking for safe and effective ways to fight fires. In this episode of The Re-Inventors, Matt and Jeremy bring to life designs by two inventors, driven by some of history’s most devastating disasters. Going beyond water, a common fire extinguisher, the boys test out a chemical pail and an exploding firebomb. Will Matt and Jeremy be able to fight off a raging inferno, or is this one job better left to the professionals?

Episode 2023 – Double-Barreled Cannon Gunfire, danger, and the possibility of an explosion are some of The Re- Inventors hosts Matt and Jeremy’s favorite things. How better to end this season than by resurrecting an invention that includes all of the above! Join the Re- Inventors as they build a US Civil War-era double-barreled cannon that is sure to end the season with a bang. Let’s just hope that our hosts have better luck than the first people that tested it—they didn’t live long enough to see the results!

SEASON 3

Episode 3024 Life at Sea. Your ship is rapidly sinking, a storm is raging, it’s freezing outside, sharks are circling and that small open-top life raft does not look so appealing, but what’s a person to do? How about trying the Davis Life Pod? Patented in 1913, it was designed to deal with all the problems listed above. But does it? Join the Re- Inventors as they build one and give it a try. Will they be saved or perish in a watery grave, nicely preserved in a metal container?

Episode 3025 Syrian Torpedo. What looks like a giant egg, is full of gunpowder and is powered by rockets? It’s “The egg which moves itself and burns” of course! Designed towards the end of the Crusades, over 500 years before the modern torpedo, it’s the brainchild of Hassan al-Rammah. Join the Re-Inventors as they construct one and take aim at the approaching invaders.

Episode 3026 Bourne Submarine. Around 1580 William Bourne of England published a book entitled “Inventions or Devises” in which he outlined his idea for a ship that “may go under the water unto the bottom, and so to come up again at your pleasure.” If successful, this would be the world’s first working design for a submarine. Does Bourne’s design work or are Matt and Jeremy headed for a soggy doom? Episode 3027 Hydraulic Saw. Designed by Francesco di Giorgio in the 15th century during the Renaissance, this saw is meant to harness the power of swift flowing streams and rivers and use this power to cut wood. But does it work and is it more efficient than two experienced sawyers? Join the Re-Inventors as they build one and test it. Will it work or will they turn it into sawdust?

Episode 3028 Wind Wagon. What do you get when you cross a windmill with a wagon? A machine designed in the 14th century that no one has tried to build until now! Sketched out in 1335, Guido de Vigevano intended for his machine to harness the power of the wind as a means of propulsion and send the troops of Philip VI of France and his Crusade hurtling across the Holy Lands. Join the Re-Inventors as they set out to construct a machine that if it works, could potentially be the world’s first automobile.

Episode 3029 Ned Kelly Armour. In 1880, before Australian Bushranger Ned Kelly and his gang had their final showdown with authorities, they made what they hoped would be bullet-proof armour. Now the Re-Inventors will rebuild this armour from period materials and see if it, in fact, offers protection against weapons of Kelly’s day and also if it could stand up to modern ballistics.

Episode 3030 Earth Quake Detector. Designed in the 2nd century AD by Zhang Heng, a Chinese astronomer, mathematician, inventor and philosopher, the Didong Yi was intended to provide information to the Imperial Court that an earthquake had occurred so relief aid could be dispatched. Join the Re-Inventors as they set out to re-create and test this amazing device with a homemade earthquake, and see if it actually works.

Episode 3031 Battering Ram. Shortly after humans began building walled cities, they also began looking for ways to smash through the walls and gates and get into those cities. Now the Re-Inventors are going to give it a shot. Join Matt and Jeremy as they get medieval and recreate a full-scale battering ram to see how well they work and examine the science behind these amazing machines.

Episode 3032 War Kite. For centuries the high ground and the ability to attack from above held military advantages. Now, The Re-Inventors have found an invention that would allow a commander to launch an attack from the sky, and rain down explosive fire-arrows on a helpless enemy! Join Matt and Jeremy as they combine13th century Chinese fire arrow technology with a 17th century Japanese kite design to see if they can command the battlefield with this amazing device. Episode 3033 Pedestrian Protector. So, if a cowcatcher works on a train, how about a spring powered one for a car? Enter “The Automatic Device for the Protection of Pedestrian and the Vehicle Itself” patented by Heinrich Karl of New Jersey in 1932. Consisting of a series of spring-loaded levers, grates and an auto-deploying blanket to keep the pedestrian from soiling their clothes upon contact with the ground, Karl’s invention was never put to an actual test. Now Matt and Jeremy will rebuild his invention, and with the help of Einstein, test to see if there really is a safe way to get hit by a car.

Episode 3034 Aerosan A vehicle that can both ski and fly? Sounds like nothing but fun for Matt and Jeremy. Join The Re-Inventors as they reconstruct the NKL 26 Aerosan, a WWII era vehicle with skis instead of wheels and an airplane engine for power. It was built for Russia, but can it handle the frozen plains of western Canada?

Episode 3035 Ice Boat. Combining razor sharp blades and extreme speeds, J. L Finch of Patchogue, NY set out to see if he could improve on iceboat designs of the day in the early 1940’s. Instead of having a sail, the vehicle was the sail with the rider inside to protect them from bone numbing wind-chill. Join The Re-Inventors as they test this invention to see how well it works and how well it will stand up to the competition, the modern ice boat.