The Machines That Built The World

In the 1920s, the idea of beaming moving images through the air is pure science fiction. Most people find entertainment in books, magazines, or theater. But two daring pioneering see a different future, where people sit in front of screens, dazzled and engaged by what they see. To dominate the burgeoning market, a ruthless mogul takes on a little-known inventor in a high stakes battle that will change the world forever. Can a rugged farm-boy topple a big-city titan with endless resources? With millions at stake, it's a bitter feud, as both men jockey to claim the title: "The Father of Television."

At the end of the 19th century, private travel means taking a walk or riding a horse. But scrappy upstarts William Harley and Arthur Davidson have a bold vision for a new form of transportation--connecting a motor to a bicycle.

In the 1870s, when Western Union offers a colossal cash prize to anyone who can improve its network, two daring inventors go head-to-head in a fight that will forever change the way humans connect.

At the dawn of the 20th century, America is transforming from a primitive agrarian society to a modern Mecca of technology, mass production and automation. A few visionary companies create the power tools that revolutionize how America is built.