Showing titles in How Things Work

Animals have many traits that help them survive in the wild. Inspired by animals' incredible abilities, military forces have created many machines over the years to achieve success on the battlefield. From the first remote-controlled vehicles to the advanced machines of tomorrow, learn how military robots and drones often imitate the abilities of animals throughout nature. Then be sure to catch the other amazing titles in the Beasts and the Battlefield series.

From the written word to the cell phone, human communication has come a long way. What might the future hold? Listeners can discover how virtual reality, holograms, and a fully connected "internet of things" may affect how they communicate in the near and distant future.

Radio waves aren't just for listening to your favorite radio station! They are used to make GPS receivers and wireless internet work. Scientists use radio telescopes to help them study space. Listeners learn about radio waves and how we use them every day.

Hear about some of the world's fastest transportation breakdowns. Find out how each form of transportation failed, the basic engineering missed during construction, and what engineers learned from their mistakes.

Hear about some of the world's biggest building blunders. Find out how each structure failed, the basic building block that was missed during construction, and what engineers learned from their mistakes.

Hear about some of the world's greatest gadget disasters. Find out how each gadget failed, what went wrong with its design or manufacture, and what programmers learned from their mistakes.

Animals have played an important role in warfare throughout history. Military forces have long relied on animals' natural abilities to achieve their missions. From medieval warriors charging into combat on horseback to dolphins locating explosive mines at sea, learn about the many ways animals have helped armies find success on the battlefield. Then be sure to catch the other amazing titles in the Beasts and the Battlefield series.

The world can be a dangerous place. Over time, animals evolved many natural defenses to help them survive. Combat during wartime is extremely dangerous. Why not look to nature to find the best defenses for soldiers on the battlefield? Military forces have done just that for hundreds of years. From the armor of medieval knights to tomorrow's advanced camouflage, learn how military technology often mimics the traits of animals to help protect soldiers in combat. Then be sure to catch the other amazing titles in the Beasts and the Battlefield series.

In the wild, animals use teeth, claws, and other natural weapons to attack their prey. On the battlefield, soldiers need weapons to fight the enemy. Military forces have often looked to nature for inspiration to develop effective weapons and combat tactics. From the first feathered arrows to tomorrow's high-tech weaponry, learn how military technology often imitates the natural weapons of animals to help soldiers succeed in combat. Then be sure to catch the other amazing titles in the Beasts and the Battlefield series.

Did you walk up a ramp today? Then you’ve used an inclined plane! These simple machines are all around. Take a listen and discover 13 ways we use inclined planes.

Let the mission begin with this far-out series. This volume includes Mars Rovers, Robonauts, Rockets, and Space Shuttles.

Go-karts are fun and fast. These small vehicles can be made even stronger and faster and listeners will love finding out how!

BMX bikes speed through courses and over big jumps. There's lots of ways to make these bikes tougher and cooler. Listeners will love finding out how!

Scientists put things into groups so they are easier to study. Materials have different properties. What are they, and how they are grouped? Let’s investigate materials!

Sounds can be loud. Sounds can be soft. We use our ears to hear all kinds of sounds. But how is sound made? Let’s investigate to find out about sound!

In science fiction, invisibility cloaks let their users vanish from sight and sneak around unnoticed. How could one of these stealthy pieces of clothing work? Scientists have some ideas, which involve bending light. Discover the science and technology behind what it would take to make a real-life invisibility cloak!

In science fiction, jet packs let people zoom through the air at high speeds. Discover the science and technology behind what it would take to make a real-life jet pack!

In science fiction, energy blades are weapons or tools that look like glowing swords. How could one of these powerful devices work? Scientists have some ideas, which include using plasma. Discover the science and technology behind what it would take to make a real-life energy blade!

In science fiction, hoverboard users glide above sidewalks on machines that look like skateboards with no wheels. How could one of these floating boards be created? Scientists have some ideas, which include using powerful magnets. Discover the science and technology behind what it would take to make a real-life hoverboard!

In science fiction, deflector shields protect ships, bases, and even planets from enemy attack. How could a protective space that absorbs energy from weapons be created? Scientists have some ideas, which include using lasers. Discover the science and technology behind what it would take to make a real-life deflector shield!