Episodes

6 episodes in this season

The Secret Life of the Fax Machine

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The Secret Life of the Lift

The Secret Life of the Word Processor

The Secret Life of the Electric Light

The Secret Life of the Photocopier

The Secret Life of the Office

The Secret Life of Machines

TV Series

198830m8.1

Documentary

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The Secret Life of the Lift

Season 3 · Episode 2 · Feb 25, 1993

The Colosseum in Rome is thought to have had a lift to carry the Emperor Nero to his balcony. By the 18th century, Mr Villayer was touring the palaces of Europe installing lifts called flying chairs. He disappeared shortly after an heir to the French throne had a serious accident in one at Versailles. Episode Contents: Models: A flimsy looking bicycle wheel pulley. Replicas of the Elisha Otis elevator in several scales. The biggest damn micro switch I have ever seen! A water powered hydraulic lift. Machines: Tim's Goldbergesque executive decision maker. Guests: A modern motorized capstan. A wire rope tester utilizing a gigantic hydraulic ram. The insides of a modern elevator system with governor, brakes, motor and various detectors. They also check out a computerized simulator to work out elevator usage patterns. Films: The cartoon life of Elisha Otis. Extro: A flying box!

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The Secret Life of Machines

TV Series

198830m8.1

Documentary

Now playing

The Secret Life of the Lift

Season 3 · Episode 2 · Feb 25, 1993

More details