The Re-Inventors
TV Show · Documentary · History

Over more than 500 years, tens of millions of patents for products have been issued, but some are lost to history, and most don't achieve the success of, say, the telephone. Hosts Matt Hunter and Jeremy MacPherson dig up some of those of yore to see how the ideas would fare in the modern world. The guys work with a team to examine original blueprints, build prototypes and test the inventions to see how well they work. Some that the hosts want to tackle are a submarine from the late 1500s, a 14th-century machine using wind power to propel a wagon, and a 1950s design combining a Ford Thunderbird with airplane parts to make a flying car.

2007 · 23m
Starring Matthew Hunter, Jeremy MacPherson

Season 1

  • EPISODE 1
    Fire Fighting
    It's literally a baptism by fire for two old flame-fighting patents. Will they pass the test or go up in smoke?
    22 min
  • EPISODE 2
    Double-Barreled Cannon
    Today we will resurrect a cannon used in the American Civil War.
    22 min
  • EPISODE 3
    Life At Sea
    Your ship is rapidly sinking, a storm is raging, it’s freezing outside, sharks are circling. That small open-top lifeboat does not look very appealing. What would you do? Try escaping via the Davis Life Pod.  Patented in 1913, on the heels of the Titanic disaster, it was designed to deal with all the problems listed above. But does it? Join Matt and Jeremy as they build one of these 400 pound sardine cans and see if Davis’ idea floats. Will the Re-Inventors be saved or perish in a watery grave, nicely preserved in a coffin-like container?
    22 min
  • EPISODE 4
    Syrian Torpedo
    Today you will see what happens when you combine traditional blacksmithing, gunpowder and water.
    22 min
  • EPISODE 5
    Davis Life Pod
    Today we will see if it is possible to make an old-school wooden submarine under water and above all back on the surface.
    22 min
  • EPISODE 6
    Water Powered Saw
    A gigantic table saw sounds good, especially if it's only powered by water.
    22 min

Related

Cast & Crew

  • M‌H
    Matthew Hunter
    Host
  • J‌M
    Jeremy MacPherson
    Host

About

The Re-Inventors

Documentary

Over more than 500 years, tens of millions of patents for products have been issued, but some are lost to history, and most don't achieve the success of, say, the telephone. Hosts Matt Hunter and Jeremy MacPherson dig up some of those of yore to see how the ideas would fare in the modern world. The guys work with a team to examine original blueprints, build prototypes and test the inventions to see how well they work. Some that the hosts want to tackle are a submarine from the late 1500s, a 14th-century machine using wind power to propel a wagon, and a 1950s design combining a Ford Thunderbird with airplane parts to make a flying car.

Information

Studio
HISTC
Released
2007
Rated
PG
Region of Origin
Canada
© 2010 SNI/SI Networks L.L.C. All rights reserved. Smithsonian Channel is a trademark of Smithsonian Institution. SNI/SI Networks L.L.C. is an authorized user.

Languages

Original Audio
English (United States)
Subtitles

English (United States) (CC)

Accessibility

Closed captions refer to subtitles in available languages with the addition of relevant non-dialogue information.
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Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Botswana
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Cape Verde
  • Egypt
  • Eswatini
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • India
  • Israel
  • Jordan
  • Lebanon
  • Mauritius
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Niger (English)
  • Oman
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Sri Lanka
  • Tajikistan
  • Turkmenistan
  • Uganda
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Zimbabwe

Asia Pacific

  • Australia
  • Cambodia
  • Fiji
  • 香港 (廣東話–繁體)
  • Indonesia (English)
  • 日本
  • Lao People's Democratic Republic
  • 澳門 (廣東話–繁體)
  • Malaysia (English)
  • Micronesia, Federated States of
  • Mongolia
  • New Zealand
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • 대한민국
  • 台灣
  • Thailand
  • Turkmenistan
  • Vietnam

Europe

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  • Belarus
  • Belgium
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  • Cyprus
  • Czechia
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  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France (Français)
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  • Slovenia
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  • Schweiz
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Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Anguilla
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina (Español)
  • Bahamas
  • Belize
  • Bermuda
  • Bolivia (Español)
  • Brasil
  • Virgin Islands, British
  • Cayman Islands
  • Chile (Español)
  • Colombia (Español)
  • Costa Rica (Español)
  • Dominica
  • República Dominicana
  • Ecuador (Español)
  • El Salvador (Español)
  • Grenada
  • Guatemala (Español)
  • Honduras (Español)
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  • Paraguay (Español)
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  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Venezuela (Español)

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  • Canada (English)
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  • Estados Unidos (Español México)