James May discovers how, thanks to planes, cars, televisions and computers, the world suddenly got a whole lot smaller.

His childhood dreams of becoming an astronaut so far unfulfilled, May instead reruns the 20th century’s space races. He begins with the V2 rockets that the Nazis rained down on London and moves on to the eventual rocket rivalry between Russia and America. All the while, he seeks to answer the question, was it all really worth it?

James May discovers just how far he can push his body, exploring some of the most remarkable medical advances over the last hundred years.

Successes and failures in the development of camouflage; comparing early biplane with the Royal Air Force's latest jet fighter.

The enduring appeal of the electric guitar.

As more and more people moved to urban centers in search of work and excitement, the only way to build was up. But how did we construct skyscrapers that appear to defy gravity? Why is an electrician from Newcastle the unsung hero behind our 24-hour lifestyle? And what motivates May to drop a Mini Cooper on a plate-glass window?