James May's Things You Need To Know

tv show

poster for James May's Things You Need To Know

9 total episodes

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2 seasons

First Aired June 20, 2011

Overview

James May gives a straightforward guide to some of science's big ideas, explaining everything from evolution and Einstein to engineering and chemistry.

tv poster

about Engineering

Season 2 - Episode 5 - 1h 30m

Air Date

September 10, 2012

Overview

How have smart guys with spanners managed to change the world? James May finds out by asking things like: What did steam ever do for us? What is the smartest machine? And … When can I move to Mars? Through a weird and wonderful world of animation and motion graphics James will reveal all the answers and along the way find out who has been building skyscrapers for millions of years, what a football has to do with nanotechnology and how a 180mph chicken gun and foul tasting tea help keep you safe on a plane. James uncovers fascinating facts, super science and a wealth of downright wackiness, giving you the real ‘nuts & bolts’ account of how things really work, from the wheel to the Saturn V rocket.