1 00:00:05,357 --> 00:00:06,723 - [dan] warning: What you are about to see 2 00:00:06,725 --> 00:00:08,975 Could be disturbing to some viewers. 3 00:00:08,977 --> 00:00:11,178 Viewer discretion is advised. 4 00:00:12,222 --> 00:00:15,015 (climatic music) 5 00:00:18,753 --> 00:00:20,269 Imagine, 6 00:00:20,271 --> 00:00:21,855 A magic carpet, 7 00:00:21,857 --> 00:00:25,108 Developed in secret by the united states military. 8 00:00:26,110 --> 00:00:29,329 - You could steer it much like you could steer a segway. 9 00:00:29,331 --> 00:00:31,981 Lean to the left, go to the left. I want one. 10 00:00:31,983 --> 00:00:33,399 (climatic music continues) 11 00:00:33,401 --> 00:00:35,768 - How about a cage for babies 12 00:00:35,770 --> 00:00:38,338 That hangs from a 20-story building? 13 00:00:38,340 --> 00:00:39,756 - You can walk down the street 14 00:00:39,758 --> 00:00:42,567 And see these babies cages filled with babies, 15 00:00:42,569 --> 00:00:46,004 Suspended up to hundreds of feet in the air. 16 00:00:46,006 --> 00:00:49,349 - Or giant killer robots powered by 17 00:00:49,351 --> 00:00:50,500 Facial expressions. 18 00:00:50,502 --> 00:00:52,669 - The trigger is a smile. 19 00:00:52,671 --> 00:00:55,655 (indistinct robot chatter) 20 00:00:55,657 --> 00:00:58,432 - Has the human drive to create new technology 21 00:00:58,434 --> 00:01:00,176 Opened a pandora's box? 22 00:01:00,178 --> 00:01:02,245 - This is an intrusive contact lens 23 00:01:02,247 --> 00:01:04,438 With a camera on your eyeball. 24 00:01:04,440 --> 00:01:07,567 - This is the technology that keeps me up at night. 25 00:01:08,320 --> 00:01:10,987 - These are the inventions so surprising, 26 00:01:10,989 --> 00:01:13,106 They're truly "unbelievable". 27 00:01:13,108 --> 00:01:17,744 (climatic music continues) 28 00:01:26,821 --> 00:01:28,130 The human quest for flight 29 00:01:28,132 --> 00:01:30,398 Has yielded some bizarre inventions. 30 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:32,525 One of the oldest and strangest dates back 31 00:01:32,527 --> 00:01:36,570 To the sixth century when chinese emperor, gao yang, 32 00:01:36,572 --> 00:01:40,909 Takes on an unbelievably twisted new hobby. 33 00:01:40,911 --> 00:01:43,854 (glorious music) 34 00:01:44,690 --> 00:01:48,024 - So 6th century ce china emperor gao yang is 35 00:01:48,026 --> 00:01:49,359 A little bit of a wild guy. 36 00:01:49,361 --> 00:01:51,378 He's 24 years old, 37 00:01:51,380 --> 00:01:54,230 And while he can run government adequately 38 00:01:54,232 --> 00:01:55,674 And everyone seems to like him, 39 00:01:55,676 --> 00:01:58,785 On his off hours he does what he wants. 40 00:02:00,121 --> 00:02:03,147 - One of gao yang's brilliant ideas is to figure out 41 00:02:03,149 --> 00:02:05,575 Whether or not human beings could fly, 42 00:02:06,328 --> 00:02:10,863 By attaching bamboo mats to the arms of prisoners 43 00:02:10,865 --> 00:02:13,400 And then proceeds to take these prisoners 44 00:02:13,402 --> 00:02:15,026 To the top of a 10-story tower 45 00:02:15,028 --> 00:02:20,432 And pushes them in the hopes that these prisoners will fly. 46 00:02:22,001 --> 00:02:24,335 Spoiler alert, they do not. 47 00:02:24,337 --> 00:02:26,437 (suspenseful music) 48 00:02:26,439 --> 00:02:29,282 - So the bamboo mats aren't working out very well, 49 00:02:29,284 --> 00:02:31,259 But the emperor has another idea. 50 00:02:31,261 --> 00:02:34,462 In his army he has these giant war kites 51 00:02:34,464 --> 00:02:36,940 That can soar to incredible heights. 52 00:02:36,942 --> 00:02:41,428 So surely these could support a human being 53 00:02:41,430 --> 00:02:42,579 And allow them to fly. 54 00:02:42,581 --> 00:02:44,572 (suspenseful music continues) 55 00:02:44,574 --> 00:02:46,290 As if this story wasn't weird enough, 56 00:02:46,292 --> 00:02:48,959 It gets a little bit more twisted. 57 00:02:48,961 --> 00:02:51,888 - As these people are thrown off of a building, 58 00:02:51,890 --> 00:02:55,759 He hands the string to this kite to their loved ones 59 00:02:55,761 --> 00:02:57,702 And urges them to try 60 00:02:57,704 --> 00:03:00,447 And bring their loved ones safely to the ground. 61 00:03:00,449 --> 00:03:04,392 (suspenseful music continues) 62 00:03:05,487 --> 00:03:06,711 (man screaming) 63 00:03:06,713 --> 00:03:10,607 - But that doesn't happen and the prisoners just keep dying. 64 00:03:10,609 --> 00:03:12,441 (edgy music) 65 00:03:12,443 --> 00:03:14,719 - And then the unexpected happens. 66 00:03:14,721 --> 00:03:17,238 One prisoner, yuan huangtou, 67 00:03:17,240 --> 00:03:20,533 (edgy music continues) 68 00:03:22,504 --> 00:03:26,414 Actually flies for about a mile and a half, 69 00:03:26,416 --> 00:03:28,308 (angelic music) 70 00:03:28,310 --> 00:03:29,842 Attached to this kite. 71 00:03:29,844 --> 00:03:33,246 (angelic music continues) 72 00:03:33,248 --> 00:03:36,499 And even lands... 73 00:03:36,501 --> 00:03:39,185 Safely. (angelic music continues) 74 00:03:39,187 --> 00:03:41,304 - [dan] yuan huangtou becomes the first person 75 00:03:41,306 --> 00:03:45,425 To achieve flight and survive to tell the tale. 76 00:03:45,427 --> 00:03:47,777 - He flew for a mile and a half and he's alive, 77 00:03:47,779 --> 00:03:51,014 And you would think now he'd be granted his freedom. 78 00:03:51,016 --> 00:03:54,901 Instead, the emperor condemns him to death by starvation. 79 00:03:57,956 --> 00:04:01,716 - 1300 years later, at the height of the cold war, 80 00:04:01,718 --> 00:04:04,844 The job of test pilot is still dangerous, 81 00:04:04,846 --> 00:04:07,414 But at least it's voluntary. 82 00:04:08,299 --> 00:04:10,033 - In the cold war, the military's looking 83 00:04:10,035 --> 00:04:14,204 For any type of technological edge that it can get. 84 00:04:14,206 --> 00:04:17,882 So, so many crazy ideas are being thrown out 85 00:04:17,884 --> 00:04:20,043 To try and figure out what is going to be the thing 86 00:04:20,045 --> 00:04:22,303 That changes the face of the battlefield. 87 00:04:22,305 --> 00:04:25,557 - The military becomes very interested in this idea of 88 00:04:25,559 --> 00:04:29,019 Allowing troops to rapidly move over the ground, 89 00:04:29,021 --> 00:04:31,980 Not on the ground, but over the ground. 90 00:04:31,982 --> 00:04:34,374 - Traditionally, one of the problems in a battlefield, 91 00:04:34,376 --> 00:04:37,226 There are mines or snipers. 92 00:04:37,228 --> 00:04:40,396 So, a way of getting over those mines 93 00:04:40,398 --> 00:04:42,324 Would be really, really useful. 94 00:04:43,401 --> 00:04:46,327 - [dan] that goal leads to this bizarre contraption. 95 00:04:46,329 --> 00:04:49,205 It's the brainchild of inventor charles zimmerman. 96 00:04:49,207 --> 00:04:52,042 - Zimmerman's background is in working in helicopters, 97 00:04:52,044 --> 00:04:54,927 And he recognized that having a rotor assembly 98 00:04:54,929 --> 00:04:58,756 Would provide the lift capability for the platform. 99 00:04:58,758 --> 00:05:01,267 A rifleman, on a flying platform, 100 00:05:01,269 --> 00:05:02,935 Will ascend into the air, 101 00:05:02,937 --> 00:05:05,088 Flying across the battlefield while delivering 102 00:05:05,090 --> 00:05:06,514 Suppressing fire toward the enemy 103 00:05:06,516 --> 00:05:10,093 Against an opposing force that cannot do that. 104 00:05:10,095 --> 00:05:11,478 - [dan] but why be conventional? 105 00:05:11,480 --> 00:05:13,413 Instead of having the rotor blades on top, 106 00:05:13,415 --> 00:05:17,525 Like a normal chopper, zimmerman flips the bird upside down 107 00:05:17,527 --> 00:05:19,527 And puts the blades on the bottom. 108 00:05:20,263 --> 00:05:23,122 This allegedly makes it more stable 109 00:05:23,124 --> 00:05:24,908 And more useful on the battlefield. 110 00:05:24,910 --> 00:05:27,369 - The idea is that you could steer it 111 00:05:27,371 --> 00:05:29,454 Much like you could steer a segway. 112 00:05:29,456 --> 00:05:33,099 You lean into it, lean to the left, go to the left, 113 00:05:33,101 --> 00:05:34,900 Lean to the right, go to the right. 114 00:05:34,902 --> 00:05:37,462 (edgy music) 115 00:05:39,724 --> 00:05:42,166 - This thing is, kind of, like a magic carpet. 116 00:05:42,168 --> 00:05:46,070 It can fly up to 30 feet in the air and go 16 miles an hour. 117 00:05:46,072 --> 00:05:48,397 So it's pretty fast compared 118 00:05:48,399 --> 00:05:50,182 To somebody moving over the ground. 119 00:05:50,184 --> 00:05:53,653 - [dan] the vz-1 pawnee as it's known, sounds promising, 120 00:05:53,655 --> 00:05:54,687 But there's a problem. 121 00:05:54,689 --> 00:05:56,989 - Talking about shooting fish in a barrel. 122 00:05:56,991 --> 00:06:01,010 Here this loud thing is coming at you at 16 miles per hour. 123 00:06:01,012 --> 00:06:02,145 You hear it from far off 124 00:06:02,147 --> 00:06:06,157 And you have plenty of time to take aim and unleash. 125 00:06:06,159 --> 00:06:07,667 - So they ask the inventor, 126 00:06:07,669 --> 00:06:10,662 Make it be able to fly higher and go even faster. 127 00:06:10,664 --> 00:06:13,647 (edgy music continues) 128 00:06:13,649 --> 00:06:16,066 - [dan] but instead of higher and faster, 129 00:06:16,068 --> 00:06:19,078 The new version goes lower and slower. 130 00:06:19,080 --> 00:06:20,663 - It also turns out that wind 131 00:06:20,665 --> 00:06:22,298 Is a huge problem for this platform. 132 00:06:22,300 --> 00:06:24,634 Even a little bit of wind can cause it 133 00:06:24,636 --> 00:06:26,335 To become incredibly unstable, 134 00:06:26,337 --> 00:06:30,657 Which means it's not usable in basically any situation. 135 00:06:30,659 --> 00:06:32,275 - Every idea does not pan out. 136 00:06:32,277 --> 00:06:35,628 It just didn't perform in a way appropriate for warfare. 137 00:06:35,630 --> 00:06:37,896 But, I want one. 138 00:06:37,898 --> 00:06:40,716 (edgy music fades) 139 00:06:40,718 --> 00:06:41,842 (gentle piano music) 140 00:06:41,844 --> 00:06:44,362 - [dan] if a flying platform sounds insane, 141 00:06:44,364 --> 00:06:46,172 What about an inflatable airplane 142 00:06:46,174 --> 00:06:48,207 You can pack inside an airplane? 143 00:06:48,209 --> 00:06:49,450 (gentle piano music fades) 144 00:06:49,452 --> 00:06:51,611 (animated music) 145 00:06:51,613 --> 00:06:52,937 - Another interesting idea that comes 146 00:06:52,939 --> 00:06:56,516 Out of cold war thinking is how do you help 147 00:06:56,518 --> 00:06:59,552 A downed pilot behind enemy lines get back home. 148 00:06:59,554 --> 00:07:01,445 So goodyear comes up with the idea 149 00:07:01,447 --> 00:07:05,282 Of dropping an inflatable aircraft behind enemy lines 150 00:07:05,284 --> 00:07:09,303 To assist that pilot in escaping quickly. 151 00:07:09,305 --> 00:07:13,474 - [dan] in 1956, goodyear, the company known for tires, 152 00:07:13,476 --> 00:07:18,288 Unveils the inflatoplane, also known as the inflatobird. 153 00:07:18,890 --> 00:07:21,574 It's made of a special rubber nylon blend. 154 00:07:21,576 --> 00:07:25,570 Unbelievably, when it's unpacked, it actually flies. 155 00:07:26,731 --> 00:07:28,973 - So the pilot opens up this crate 156 00:07:28,975 --> 00:07:31,141 And there's a motor in there that does the inflating 157 00:07:31,143 --> 00:07:33,203 And it inflates itself in five minutes. 158 00:07:33,205 --> 00:07:34,662 Kind of, like when you go camping 159 00:07:34,664 --> 00:07:36,814 And you have a motor on your air mattress 160 00:07:36,816 --> 00:07:39,334 And you're inflating it, but instead of sleeping on it, 161 00:07:39,336 --> 00:07:40,910 You're going to fly in it. 162 00:07:40,912 --> 00:07:44,196 (engine buzzing) 163 00:07:44,198 --> 00:07:45,882 - This is not a toy airplane. 164 00:07:45,884 --> 00:07:47,750 Its range is 400 miles. 165 00:07:47,752 --> 00:07:49,585 It can go up to 70 miles an hour 166 00:07:49,587 --> 00:07:51,537 And it can get up to 10,000 feet. 167 00:07:51,539 --> 00:07:54,106 Not only that, the way the plane is constructed, 168 00:07:54,108 --> 00:07:56,592 As the engine is running is actually pushing air 169 00:07:56,594 --> 00:07:58,828 Back into the structure of the airplane. 170 00:07:58,830 --> 00:08:03,432 And so it can take up to six 30 caliber gunshot punctures 171 00:08:03,434 --> 00:08:04,550 Without deflating. 172 00:08:05,361 --> 00:08:06,586 - [dan] if you're thinking this invention 173 00:08:06,588 --> 00:08:09,697 Is too good to be true, you might be right. 174 00:08:09,699 --> 00:08:10,865 (anxious music) 175 00:08:10,867 --> 00:08:13,183 - During testing, there are some problems. 176 00:08:13,185 --> 00:08:15,461 This is not a rigid framed aircraft. 177 00:08:15,463 --> 00:08:17,296 There are pilots who go up in the inflatoplane 178 00:08:17,298 --> 00:08:20,933 And they find that they have to fly it delicately, 179 00:08:20,935 --> 00:08:23,753 Otherwise the wings fold in on themselves. 180 00:08:23,755 --> 00:08:26,806 - One test pilot tried to go up too fast 181 00:08:26,808 --> 00:08:30,476 And the wing buckled and actually folded over onto itself 182 00:08:30,478 --> 00:08:31,827 Totally cutting their lift. 183 00:08:31,829 --> 00:08:33,979 That pilot fortunately survived. 184 00:08:33,981 --> 00:08:35,931 Another pilot is not so lucky. 185 00:08:35,933 --> 00:08:38,634 As he's flying, a support cable 186 00:08:38,636 --> 00:08:40,486 Holding the wing structure breaks 187 00:08:40,488 --> 00:08:43,139 And the wing folds over onto the propeller 188 00:08:43,141 --> 00:08:45,792 Causing the entire plane to go down. 189 00:08:45,794 --> 00:08:49,578 - Sadly, the pilot loses his life and after that, 190 00:08:49,580 --> 00:08:50,779 This project was killed. 191 00:08:50,781 --> 00:08:51,947 It's a great idea. 192 00:08:51,949 --> 00:08:55,493 It sounds amazing, but it's just not practical. 193 00:08:55,495 --> 00:08:57,236 - [dan] remarkably, the inflatoplane 194 00:08:57,238 --> 00:09:00,330 Isn't even the strangest plane of its time. 195 00:09:00,332 --> 00:09:02,066 (eerie music) 196 00:09:02,068 --> 00:09:05,128 - In 2012, the united states government decides 197 00:09:05,130 --> 00:09:10,300 To declassify documents that are labeled "project 1794", 198 00:09:10,585 --> 00:09:15,013 Dated 1956, and we're seeing what appears to be 199 00:09:15,790 --> 00:09:17,173 A ufo. (eerie music continues) 200 00:09:17,175 --> 00:09:19,559 - [dan] the plans describe a flying disc 201 00:09:20,461 --> 00:09:22,711 That's able to reach speeds of mach 4 202 00:09:22,713 --> 00:09:24,922 And an altitude of 100,000 feet. 203 00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:29,426 But why would the military need this alien looking flyer? 204 00:09:29,428 --> 00:09:31,970 (eerie music continues) 205 00:09:31,972 --> 00:09:33,122 - So during the cold war, 206 00:09:33,124 --> 00:09:35,717 If america goes to war with the soviet union, 207 00:09:35,719 --> 00:09:38,194 They might take out all the military runways 208 00:09:38,196 --> 00:09:40,847 To prevent our aircraft from taking off. 209 00:09:40,849 --> 00:09:42,640 So what does someone think of? 210 00:09:42,642 --> 00:09:47,019 Well, we need a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. 211 00:09:47,021 --> 00:09:50,289 - Enter jack frost who comes up with an idea. 212 00:09:50,291 --> 00:09:53,225 Instead of creating an aircraft that has wings, 213 00:09:53,227 --> 00:09:54,777 Why not create an aircraft that 214 00:09:54,779 --> 00:09:57,805 Looks just like a giant disc? 215 00:09:57,807 --> 00:09:58,948 (eerie music continues) 216 00:09:58,950 --> 00:10:01,792 - [dan] frost believes his curved disc will have the lift 217 00:10:01,794 --> 00:10:04,854 To leave a more traditional plane in the dust. 218 00:10:04,856 --> 00:10:06,080 (edgy music) 219 00:10:06,082 --> 00:10:08,966 - The us military is extremely excited by this concept, 220 00:10:08,968 --> 00:10:12,386 And they throw a bunch of money in this guys direction 221 00:10:12,388 --> 00:10:14,063 To build this aircraft. 222 00:10:14,065 --> 00:10:19,369 - And so in 1959, frost presents the avrocar vz-9, 223 00:10:19,921 --> 00:10:20,920 (edgy music continues) 224 00:10:20,922 --> 00:10:21,888 And it works, 225 00:10:21,890 --> 00:10:24,573 (edgy music fades) 226 00:10:24,575 --> 00:10:25,482 Kind of. 227 00:10:25,484 --> 00:10:26,667 (upbeat music) 228 00:10:26,669 --> 00:10:30,170 - The avrocar goes into its test flight. 229 00:10:30,172 --> 00:10:31,989 And remember, he's trying to achieve 230 00:10:31,991 --> 00:10:34,783 Mach 3, 4 at 100,000 feet. 231 00:10:34,785 --> 00:10:36,569 He gets three feet off the ground 232 00:10:36,571 --> 00:10:38,011 And goes 30 miles per hour. 233 00:10:38,013 --> 00:10:40,923 And as you might imagine, the people who wrote the check, 234 00:10:40,925 --> 00:10:41,891 And as you might imagine, the people who wrote the check, 235 00:10:42,168 --> 00:10:44,260 They had a few questions for jack. 236 00:10:44,262 --> 00:10:46,687 - Eventually the avrocar is shelved, 237 00:10:46,689 --> 00:10:49,732 Another cold war big swing that doesn't live up to the hype. 238 00:10:52,703 --> 00:10:54,303 - Parents are always looking for ways 239 00:10:54,305 --> 00:10:55,354 To keep their babies happy and healthy. 240 00:10:55,356 --> 00:10:56,489 In the early 1920s, 241 00:10:56,491 --> 00:11:01,944 That desire yields a particularly strange invention. 242 00:11:02,580 --> 00:11:05,297 (fast-paced pulsating music) 243 00:11:05,299 --> 00:11:08,100 - 1920 is the first year that 244 00:11:08,102 --> 00:11:09,085 The us census reveals 245 00:11:09,087 --> 00:11:12,204 That a majority of americans live in cities. 246 00:11:12,206 --> 00:11:14,790 - It's a period of hyper urbanization. 247 00:11:14,792 --> 00:11:16,742 Steel has just absolutely changed the game. 248 00:11:16,744 --> 00:11:19,645 We've gone from having buildings that at most could be 249 00:11:19,647 --> 00:11:22,615 About five to six stories tall to suddenly 250 00:11:22,617 --> 00:11:25,284 With steel, the sky's the limit, 251 00:11:25,286 --> 00:11:27,044 Hence skyscrapers. 252 00:11:27,046 --> 00:11:28,353 (haunting music) 253 00:11:28,355 --> 00:11:30,656 - [dan] electric elevators suddenly make the highest floors 254 00:11:30,658 --> 00:11:33,692 Go from the least desirable to the most. 255 00:11:33,694 --> 00:11:36,838 But while folks are enjoying their sweeping new views, 256 00:11:36,840 --> 00:11:40,165 They realize they've lost something very important. 257 00:11:40,167 --> 00:11:42,452 (haunting music continues) 258 00:11:42,454 --> 00:11:44,003 - If you're living in an apartment, 259 00:11:44,005 --> 00:11:47,172 You might not want to lug your baby in the elevator 260 00:11:47,174 --> 00:11:51,585 Or down the steps, but you still have this understanding, 261 00:11:51,587 --> 00:11:54,696 This sense that fresh air is a good thing. 262 00:11:55,674 --> 00:11:57,349 - So we have a few people that are thinking about ways 263 00:11:57,351 --> 00:11:59,076 To get that fresh air to the kids 264 00:11:59,078 --> 00:12:02,746 Despite being on the 10th, 15th floor, you name it. 265 00:12:02,748 --> 00:12:03,923 And enter emma read. 266 00:12:03,925 --> 00:12:08,202 In 1922, she applies for a patent for a cage, essentially, 267 00:12:08,204 --> 00:12:10,646 That's just going to hang right outside the window, 268 00:12:10,648 --> 00:12:13,273 Just like you'd hang an air conditioning unit. 269 00:12:13,275 --> 00:12:15,425 Except it's not an air conditioning unit, 270 00:12:15,427 --> 00:12:19,322 (haunting music continues) 271 00:12:20,783 --> 00:12:21,615 It's your baby. 272 00:12:21,617 --> 00:12:22,700 (nervous music) 273 00:12:22,702 --> 00:12:26,429 - Baby cage is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. 274 00:12:26,431 --> 00:12:29,715 It's made of essentially chicken wire and wood. 275 00:12:29,717 --> 00:12:34,504 And supposedly these baby cages could hold up to 500 pounds, 276 00:12:34,506 --> 00:12:36,631 But who's going to test that? 277 00:12:37,775 --> 00:12:40,426 - The real thing driving the baby cage 278 00:12:40,428 --> 00:12:42,862 Is the threat of tuberculosis. 279 00:12:42,864 --> 00:12:45,564 Doctors are telling moms that the best way 280 00:12:45,566 --> 00:12:49,535 To prevent tuberculosis is to get your kid fresh air. 281 00:12:49,537 --> 00:12:51,203 And it seems like a good idea. 282 00:12:51,205 --> 00:12:53,630 - In some cities, this idea takes off. 283 00:12:53,632 --> 00:12:54,899 You can walk down the street 284 00:12:54,901 --> 00:12:57,985 And see these baby cages filled with babies, 285 00:12:57,987 --> 00:13:01,489 Suspended up to hundreds of feet in the air. 286 00:13:02,733 --> 00:13:04,099 (fast-paced music) 287 00:13:04,101 --> 00:13:05,067 - [dan] even a future first lady 288 00:13:05,069 --> 00:13:07,653 Jumps on the baby cage bandwagon. 289 00:13:08,406 --> 00:13:10,923 - Eleanor roosevelt before she's first lady, 290 00:13:10,925 --> 00:13:12,925 Living in new york city with fdr, 291 00:13:12,927 --> 00:13:15,235 Ends up using a baby cage for her kid 292 00:13:15,237 --> 00:13:16,920 On the recommendation of a doctor. 293 00:13:16,922 --> 00:13:20,258 So one of eleanor roosevelt's neighbors looks out the window 294 00:13:20,260 --> 00:13:23,035 And sees a baby hanging out over the city, 295 00:13:23,037 --> 00:13:24,178 So she complains, 296 00:13:24,180 --> 00:13:27,223 And the roosevelts have to take down their baby cage, 297 00:13:29,352 --> 00:13:30,792 - [dan] but it's not just the us. 298 00:13:30,794 --> 00:13:34,246 By 1930, the cages are especially popular in london. 299 00:13:34,248 --> 00:13:36,782 In fact, the chelsea baby club is giving them away 300 00:13:36,784 --> 00:13:38,834 To anyone without a backyard. 301 00:13:38,836 --> 00:13:41,361 - Let's also keep in mind people are experiencing 302 00:13:41,363 --> 00:13:44,781 So much rapid shifts in their lives in this era. 303 00:13:44,783 --> 00:13:46,592 You've got a lot of experiments going on. 304 00:13:46,594 --> 00:13:48,094 Whether it's subways, 305 00:13:48,096 --> 00:13:50,854 These crazy new things called automobiles. 306 00:13:50,856 --> 00:13:53,099 Well, maybe it just makes sense that one of those shifts 307 00:13:53,101 --> 00:13:56,377 Is putting your child in a cage that hangs out a window. 308 00:13:57,772 --> 00:14:02,141 - [dan] by the 1940s, vaccines calm fears of tuberculosis 309 00:14:02,143 --> 00:14:04,443 And the cages fall out of favor, 310 00:14:04,445 --> 00:14:06,812 Before anyone falls out of them. 311 00:14:06,814 --> 00:14:09,064 - But perhaps more importantly, 312 00:14:09,066 --> 00:14:12,134 There's a real change in the way 313 00:14:12,136 --> 00:14:15,037 We understand science and we understand disease. 314 00:14:15,039 --> 00:14:17,656 So it's not that we're uninterested in fresh air, 315 00:14:17,658 --> 00:14:19,975 But we don't see it as the cure-all to everything, 316 00:14:19,977 --> 00:14:23,312 So much so that we're willing to stick our kids in cages 317 00:14:23,314 --> 00:14:26,073 Outside of upper west side apartments. 318 00:14:28,669 --> 00:14:31,820 - There's no word on whether a generation of big city babies 319 00:14:31,822 --> 00:14:34,081 Suffer from terrible acrophobia 320 00:14:34,083 --> 00:14:35,658 Or are immune to it. 321 00:14:35,660 --> 00:14:39,912 But the 1930s introduced more than one strange invention 322 00:14:39,914 --> 00:14:41,764 To concerned parents. 323 00:14:41,766 --> 00:14:43,207 (bouncy music) 324 00:14:43,209 --> 00:14:44,925 As another world war looms, 325 00:14:44,927 --> 00:14:48,095 London town councils hand out tiny green outfits 326 00:14:48,097 --> 00:14:49,931 To perplexed new mothers. 327 00:14:49,933 --> 00:14:51,974 Officials casually explain, 328 00:14:52,710 --> 00:14:54,060 It's a gas mask 329 00:14:55,729 --> 00:14:56,845 For your baby. 330 00:14:56,847 --> 00:14:58,013 (bouncy music continues) 331 00:14:58,015 --> 00:14:59,148 - From the first world war, 332 00:14:59,150 --> 00:15:00,599 There were a hundred thousand deaths 333 00:15:00,601 --> 00:15:02,442 From mustard and chlorine gas. 334 00:15:02,444 --> 00:15:04,937 So you have the military and scientists 335 00:15:04,939 --> 00:15:06,155 Trying to develop technology 336 00:15:06,157 --> 00:15:09,541 To keep the population safe from gas attacks 337 00:15:09,543 --> 00:15:12,410 And baby gas masks are invented. 338 00:15:12,412 --> 00:15:14,013 (bouncy music fades) 339 00:15:14,015 --> 00:15:16,499 - Gas mask is probably the wrong word. 340 00:15:16,501 --> 00:15:18,834 This is like a full body suit. 341 00:15:18,836 --> 00:15:21,945 This is like a helmet with a visor 342 00:15:21,947 --> 00:15:25,341 And a metal grate over the kid's face. 343 00:15:25,343 --> 00:15:27,710 - [dan] in an effort to make them seem less scary, 344 00:15:27,712 --> 00:15:30,971 The government names them the 'mickey mouse' mask. 345 00:15:30,973 --> 00:15:32,147 (tense music) 346 00:15:32,149 --> 00:15:34,233 Not sure how much that helps. 347 00:15:34,235 --> 00:15:36,218 - Getting a baby into these gas masks 348 00:15:36,220 --> 00:15:38,037 Isn't exactly the easiest thing. 349 00:15:38,039 --> 00:15:41,273 You have to load them into this metal visor thing 350 00:15:41,275 --> 00:15:44,694 And then wrap canvas around them like a diaper 351 00:15:44,696 --> 00:15:47,162 With their little legs hanging out from the bottom. 352 00:15:47,164 --> 00:15:49,081 But then it is actually convenient for the parents 353 00:15:49,083 --> 00:15:52,885 Because you can wear your gas masked baby like a backpack, 354 00:15:52,887 --> 00:15:55,162 Like a gas masked babybjorn. 355 00:15:55,164 --> 00:15:56,229 (tense music continues) 356 00:15:56,231 --> 00:15:59,208 - This suit is meant to be airtight 357 00:15:59,210 --> 00:16:02,594 And you as the parent have to keep pumping air into it, 358 00:16:02,596 --> 00:16:05,414 So your kid has enough fresh air to survive. 359 00:16:05,416 --> 00:16:08,508 It's not hard to imagine this isn't going to work well. 360 00:16:08,510 --> 00:16:10,720 - So the british start testing out this brilliant idea, 361 00:16:10,722 --> 00:16:13,405 But then the nurses notice a little problem. 362 00:16:13,407 --> 00:16:15,924 The babies are falling asleep. 363 00:16:15,926 --> 00:16:17,593 - [dan] and it isn't because the babies 364 00:16:17,595 --> 00:16:19,261 Are so warm and cozy. 365 00:16:19,263 --> 00:16:20,879 - So it becomes rather clear 366 00:16:20,881 --> 00:16:22,181 That they aren't actually getting 367 00:16:22,183 --> 00:16:23,983 As much air as they're supposed to. 368 00:16:23,985 --> 00:16:25,401 And ultimately the project is scraped 369 00:16:25,403 --> 00:16:28,287 Because of course, better to run the risk of a gas attack 370 00:16:28,289 --> 00:16:31,090 Than inadvertently wipe out a generation 371 00:16:31,092 --> 00:16:33,959 By suffocating them in baby gas masks. 372 00:16:33,961 --> 00:16:37,446 - [dan] but it does inspire yet another bizarre invention. 373 00:16:37,448 --> 00:16:39,856 - As the british people are facing the prospect of war, 374 00:16:39,858 --> 00:16:43,619 We also have the baby gas mask stroller. 375 00:16:43,621 --> 00:16:45,304 For the parent-on-the-go who wants to make sure 376 00:16:45,306 --> 00:16:47,806 Their child's protected in the event of a mustard attack. 377 00:16:47,808 --> 00:16:51,193 Basically it looks like a coffin with a visor over it, 378 00:16:51,195 --> 00:16:52,344 So you can see the baby, 379 00:16:52,346 --> 00:16:53,645 Make sure everything looks good there. 380 00:16:53,647 --> 00:16:56,315 - [dan] and like the baby gas mask, 381 00:16:56,317 --> 00:16:58,617 The gas stroller is also airtight 382 00:16:58,619 --> 00:17:00,269 With a cute little pump. 383 00:17:00,271 --> 00:17:03,730 Just don't forget to give it a squeeze now and then. 384 00:17:03,732 --> 00:17:06,108 - You put your baby in this airtight, coffin-like, 385 00:17:06,110 --> 00:17:08,110 Metal container that has an air filter 386 00:17:08,112 --> 00:17:10,829 That you have to consistently pump oxygen into, 387 00:17:10,831 --> 00:17:13,699 And you go for a stroll in piccadilly circus. 388 00:17:13,701 --> 00:17:16,035 - [dan] what happens to the person walking the baby 389 00:17:16,037 --> 00:17:17,286 Isn't quite clear, 390 00:17:17,288 --> 00:17:20,264 But the intent behind it somehow makes sense. 391 00:17:20,266 --> 00:17:22,249 - During wartime, you still want to go to the park 392 00:17:22,251 --> 00:17:24,460 With your baby even though you're under threat. 393 00:17:24,462 --> 00:17:27,154 So, people are just grasping at straws 394 00:17:27,156 --> 00:17:29,164 To maintain their sense of normalcy. 395 00:17:29,166 --> 00:17:32,251 - And luckily, london and the rest of England 396 00:17:32,253 --> 00:17:34,804 Were not attacked with chemical weapons, 397 00:17:34,806 --> 00:17:35,287 Were not attacked with chemical weapons, 398 00:17:36,023 --> 00:17:39,508 And so the baby stroller was never needed. 399 00:17:39,510 --> 00:17:40,643 (metal clanks) 400 00:17:43,439 --> 00:17:44,788 - Since the first moving pictures, 401 00:17:44,790 --> 00:17:46,765 We've been dreaming of how to make movies better. 402 00:17:46,767 --> 00:17:49,284 First with dialogue, then with color. 403 00:17:49,286 --> 00:17:54,406 So in 1960, two producers wonder what's next. 404 00:17:55,376 --> 00:17:58,243 (gentle music) 405 00:17:58,245 --> 00:18:03,106 - By 1960, 75% of american households have a television. 406 00:18:03,108 --> 00:18:05,609 That's more than the number of households 407 00:18:05,611 --> 00:18:07,002 That have a refrigerator. 408 00:18:07,004 --> 00:18:08,754 And hollywood's box office sales 409 00:18:08,756 --> 00:18:12,441 Have fallen off almost 50% in 20 years. 410 00:18:12,443 --> 00:18:15,553 - So hollywood is scrambling trying to figure out a way 411 00:18:15,555 --> 00:18:17,729 To get people back into the theaters. 412 00:18:17,731 --> 00:18:20,899 And in the words of gypsy rose lee, 413 00:18:20,901 --> 00:18:22,518 "you gotta get a gimmick". 414 00:18:22,520 --> 00:18:25,162 - [dan] movie producer mike todd jr., 415 00:18:25,164 --> 00:18:26,730 Elizabeth taylor's stepson, 416 00:18:26,732 --> 00:18:30,809 Thinks he has the idea hollywood needs, smell-o-vision. 417 00:18:30,811 --> 00:18:34,471 - Mike todd jr. Works with this inventor named hans laube, 418 00:18:34,473 --> 00:18:37,232 And they come up with this revolutionary 419 00:18:37,234 --> 00:18:38,417 Piece of technology 420 00:18:38,419 --> 00:18:39,702 That's going to completely change 421 00:18:39,704 --> 00:18:42,955 The movie theater viewing experience, the "smell brain". 422 00:18:42,957 --> 00:18:47,259 - The "smell brain" is synced up with the projector, 423 00:18:47,261 --> 00:18:48,477 It has a belt. 424 00:18:48,479 --> 00:18:52,881 And attached to this belt are small pouches of scent. 425 00:18:52,883 --> 00:18:58,262 There's a small needle that punctures these little pouches, 426 00:18:59,056 --> 00:19:01,773 Releasing the scent in exact synchronicity 427 00:19:01,775 --> 00:19:04,143 With whatever you're meant to smell on camera. 428 00:19:04,145 --> 00:19:07,730 If you see roses, it'll pierce that rose pouch 429 00:19:10,217 --> 00:19:11,609 And you smell roses. 430 00:19:11,611 --> 00:19:13,944 It seems foolproof. 431 00:19:14,872 --> 00:19:17,114 - So in 1960, mike and hans produced a film 432 00:19:17,116 --> 00:19:19,441 Specifically shot for smell-o-vision, 433 00:19:19,443 --> 00:19:22,094 And they call it "scent of mystery". 434 00:19:22,096 --> 00:19:24,771 - So this is not like a minor film. 435 00:19:24,773 --> 00:19:26,465 It features among others, 436 00:19:26,467 --> 00:19:28,467 Elizabeth taylor and peter lorre. 437 00:19:28,469 --> 00:19:31,803 But what's cool about the film it's smells 438 00:19:31,805 --> 00:19:33,422 Are crucial to the plot. 439 00:19:35,309 --> 00:19:37,876 (villainous music) 440 00:19:37,878 --> 00:19:40,829 You know when the villain is coming 441 00:19:40,831 --> 00:19:42,539 Because the villain smokes a pipe 442 00:19:42,541 --> 00:19:44,624 And we get the smell of pipe smoke. 443 00:19:44,626 --> 00:19:47,161 And we actually know the heroine in the film 444 00:19:47,163 --> 00:19:50,305 Before you see her because the scent of her perfume 445 00:19:50,307 --> 00:19:51,640 Is supposed to fill the theater. 446 00:19:51,642 --> 00:19:54,443 This smell is not just incidental, 447 00:19:54,445 --> 00:19:57,445 It's actually intrinsic to the plot. 448 00:19:57,447 --> 00:19:58,505 - Yuck! 449 00:19:58,507 --> 00:20:00,565 - Now this technology does not come cheap. 450 00:20:00,567 --> 00:20:04,828 It costs $15,000 just for the chicago theater alone, 451 00:20:04,830 --> 00:20:07,489 Which is over a hundred grand in today's dollars. 452 00:20:07,491 --> 00:20:09,899 So they're really banking on a success here. 453 00:20:09,901 --> 00:20:12,511 - [dan] but unfortunately, on opening night, 454 00:20:12,513 --> 00:20:15,071 Smell-o-vision has some rank problems. 455 00:20:15,073 --> 00:20:19,051 - Number one, you can't clear out the previous smell 456 00:20:19,053 --> 00:20:21,336 When the next smell comes in. 457 00:20:21,338 --> 00:20:24,006 If the first smell is gasoline 458 00:20:24,008 --> 00:20:26,308 And the next smell is perfume, 459 00:20:26,310 --> 00:20:30,228 And the next smell is garlic, you are having a theater 460 00:20:30,230 --> 00:20:33,414 That smells like a combination of gasoline, 461 00:20:33,416 --> 00:20:34,591 Garlic and perfume. 462 00:20:34,593 --> 00:20:37,352 On top of that, some parts of the theater 463 00:20:37,354 --> 00:20:40,297 Aren't getting the scent right as it's released, 464 00:20:40,299 --> 00:20:42,941 So it's wafting down to them scenes later. 465 00:20:42,943 --> 00:20:47,362 And then you have an entire theater going... (sniffing) 466 00:20:47,364 --> 00:20:50,498 It is a complete and total disaster. 467 00:20:50,500 --> 00:20:52,884 - [dan] mike and hans scramble to fix the problem, 468 00:20:52,886 --> 00:20:54,203 But it's too late. 469 00:20:54,205 --> 00:20:58,557 Critics and audiences agree, smell-o-vision stinks, 470 00:20:58,559 --> 00:21:01,059 And the movie's a total flop. 471 00:21:01,061 --> 00:21:03,094 - So they tried to salvage some part 472 00:21:03,096 --> 00:21:04,913 Of this very expensive experiment 473 00:21:04,915 --> 00:21:06,398 And they rebrand the movie 474 00:21:06,400 --> 00:21:08,458 And they call it a "holiday in Spain", 475 00:21:08,460 --> 00:21:09,734 Which is already a pivot, 476 00:21:09,736 --> 00:21:12,837 But this time it's without the smell-o-vision technology. 477 00:21:12,839 --> 00:21:15,057 But that doesn't really work because this was the film 478 00:21:15,059 --> 00:21:19,135 Shot entirely for the purpose of smell in the scenes. 479 00:21:19,137 --> 00:21:21,246 So you've got these weird long pauses 480 00:21:21,248 --> 00:21:22,831 Because you were waiting for an audience 481 00:21:22,833 --> 00:21:24,240 To be able to smell something 482 00:21:24,242 --> 00:21:26,552 And you have nothing to smell now. 483 00:21:26,554 --> 00:21:29,504 - You just, kind of, have a weird movie with long shots 484 00:21:29,506 --> 00:21:33,792 Of gas pumps and a long shot of a dude smoking a pipe, 485 00:21:36,430 --> 00:21:39,489 Which resembles a real holiday in Spain 486 00:21:39,491 --> 00:21:42,968 About as much as I resemble beyonce. 487 00:21:44,864 --> 00:21:47,723 - If you think smelling your entertainment is strange, 488 00:21:47,725 --> 00:21:50,659 Brace yourself for this next invention. 489 00:21:50,661 --> 00:21:54,563 (machine gun shots popping) 490 00:21:55,265 --> 00:21:57,674 - Video game technology keeps advancing, 491 00:21:57,676 --> 00:22:00,419 Keeps becoming more and more realistic. 492 00:22:00,421 --> 00:22:01,770 So what's the next step? 493 00:22:01,772 --> 00:22:04,906 How about feeling what's happening in the game. 494 00:22:04,908 --> 00:22:06,108 (haunting music) 495 00:22:06,110 --> 00:22:08,777 (avatar laughing) - [avatar] aahh! 496 00:22:08,779 --> 00:22:10,128 Aahh! 497 00:22:10,130 --> 00:22:11,613 That's actually been invented, 498 00:22:11,615 --> 00:22:14,266 And it's called a haptic vest. 499 00:22:14,268 --> 00:22:17,352 It gives you the experience of feeling 500 00:22:17,354 --> 00:22:19,404 What your game character feels. 501 00:22:20,157 --> 00:22:23,092 So if you're in a combat game and you're stabbed, 502 00:22:23,094 --> 00:22:25,127 Punched, whatever's going on, 503 00:22:25,129 --> 00:22:27,979 You actually feel that through the vest. 504 00:22:27,981 --> 00:22:29,572 It hurts you. 505 00:22:29,574 --> 00:22:31,374 (avatar groans) 506 00:22:31,785 --> 00:22:33,318 - When you read the sensations this haptic vest 507 00:22:33,320 --> 00:22:36,296 Is promising to give you, it sounds like a police report. 508 00:22:36,298 --> 00:22:40,008 Shot, shot with exit wound, stabbing, 509 00:22:40,010 --> 00:22:43,403 Axe wound, abdominal wound, severe abdominal wound. 510 00:22:43,405 --> 00:22:45,305 Why would people want this? 511 00:22:46,133 --> 00:22:49,660 - Game players claim that it's very realistic. 512 00:22:51,588 --> 00:22:54,123 Get hit with a battle axe in the back 513 00:22:54,125 --> 00:22:55,791 Feels just like the real thing. 514 00:22:55,793 --> 00:22:59,711 My question is, how the heck do you know that? 515 00:22:59,713 --> 00:23:01,496 - [dan] as crazy as this sounds, 516 00:23:01,498 --> 00:23:04,432 There's actually a practical application. 517 00:23:04,434 --> 00:23:08,436 - It's very useful in training scenarios for police, 518 00:23:08,438 --> 00:23:11,664 For military personnel, for firefighters. 519 00:23:11,666 --> 00:23:15,668 So people are finding multiple uses for this technology. 520 00:23:15,670 --> 00:23:18,763 (gunshots popping) (groaning) 521 00:23:18,765 --> 00:23:20,541 - I just hope we don't have to wear them 522 00:23:20,543 --> 00:23:21,232 To watch movies one day. 523 00:23:21,234 --> 00:23:22,534 To watch movies one day. 524 00:23:22,536 --> 00:23:24,202 - [avatar] aahh! 525 00:23:24,204 --> 00:23:25,370 Aahh! 526 00:23:25,372 --> 00:23:27,406 - [dan] 'cause I prefer pretending 527 00:23:27,408 --> 00:23:28,866 To be attacked by monsters. 528 00:23:31,795 --> 00:23:34,370 - For millennia, pests have plagued farmers, 529 00:23:34,372 --> 00:23:37,816 But some of the most damaging are slugs. 530 00:23:37,818 --> 00:23:40,777 It's a billion dollar a year problem across the globe, 531 00:23:40,779 --> 00:23:45,782 Until 2001 when a strange solution is suggested. 532 00:23:45,784 --> 00:23:48,777 (chilling music) 533 00:23:48,779 --> 00:23:51,346 - College student, ian kelly comes up with an idea. 534 00:23:51,348 --> 00:23:53,265 He says, "what if I could create something 535 00:23:53,267 --> 00:23:57,544 That not only kills slugs, but also uses them for fuel?" 536 00:23:57,546 --> 00:23:58,870 (chilling music continues) 537 00:23:58,872 --> 00:24:00,539 And so he comes up with the idea 538 00:24:00,541 --> 00:24:04,142 That is affectionately known as slugbot. 539 00:24:04,144 --> 00:24:07,529 - So the vision for the slugbot is, sort of, 540 00:24:07,531 --> 00:24:11,008 Like an automatic lawnmower type machine 541 00:24:11,010 --> 00:24:14,502 That moves through the fields, identifying slugs 542 00:24:14,504 --> 00:24:17,038 And scooping them off the ground 543 00:24:17,040 --> 00:24:19,991 And putting them into a digester 544 00:24:19,993 --> 00:24:24,112 That will make fuel to keep the machine running. 545 00:24:24,114 --> 00:24:29,051 - This is a robot that is consuming organic flesh. 546 00:24:29,053 --> 00:24:31,135 (electronic music) 547 00:24:31,137 --> 00:24:32,587 - [dan] it's a terrifying concept, 548 00:24:32,589 --> 00:24:36,274 Yet if it works, it could change farming forever. 549 00:24:36,276 --> 00:24:37,184 (electronic music continues) 550 00:24:37,186 --> 00:24:39,511 - So the slugbot has immense promise. 551 00:24:39,513 --> 00:24:41,513 Everyone wants this idea to work. 552 00:24:41,515 --> 00:24:42,748 Everyone loves it. 553 00:24:42,750 --> 00:24:44,357 It's going to save hundreds of millions 554 00:24:44,359 --> 00:24:46,418 Of dollars in destroyed crops annually. 555 00:24:46,420 --> 00:24:49,187 It's so promising, that's even on time magazine's, 556 00:24:49,189 --> 00:24:51,956 Inventions of the year list in 2001. 557 00:24:51,958 --> 00:24:54,993 - [dan] but can this flesh-eating robot put its money 558 00:24:55,696 --> 00:24:57,379 Where its mouth is? 559 00:24:57,381 --> 00:25:00,373 - The technology isn't 100% there. 560 00:25:00,375 --> 00:25:02,867 The slugbot is fine at identifying slugs 561 00:25:02,869 --> 00:25:04,035 And picking them up, 562 00:25:04,037 --> 00:25:06,271 But the process of decomposing slugs 563 00:25:06,273 --> 00:25:07,923 To convert them into energy 564 00:25:07,925 --> 00:25:11,760 Hasn't actually been employed on the robot itself. 565 00:25:11,762 --> 00:25:13,302 - [dan] 20 years later, 566 00:25:13,304 --> 00:25:16,539 Researchers develop an unsettling new iteration. 567 00:25:16,541 --> 00:25:18,541 (chilling music continues) 568 00:25:18,543 --> 00:25:20,893 - What they want to do is they want to use ai, 569 00:25:20,895 --> 00:25:23,805 So that it can determine where slugs are in your crops. 570 00:25:23,807 --> 00:25:27,818 It can attack them and deliver a lethal dose of poison. 571 00:25:29,021 --> 00:25:30,812 - So rather than devouring slugs to power itself, 572 00:25:30,814 --> 00:25:35,366 This new product goes out there like half terminator, 573 00:25:35,368 --> 00:25:40,088 Half roomba, zapping all the slugs up and down the field 574 00:25:40,090 --> 00:25:43,074 With laser guided ai precision. 575 00:25:43,710 --> 00:25:44,876 - First you have this machine 576 00:25:44,878 --> 00:25:47,587 That's killing to eat and power itself, 577 00:25:47,589 --> 00:25:52,417 And now it evolves to a machine that's killing just to kill. 578 00:25:52,419 --> 00:25:54,761 I'm not sure I like where this is headed. 579 00:25:54,763 --> 00:25:56,204 - [dan] maybe the key to harnessing 580 00:25:56,206 --> 00:25:58,414 The potential of future robots 581 00:25:58,416 --> 00:26:02,994 Is controlling them ourselves, from the inside. 582 00:26:02,996 --> 00:26:05,372 (electronic music) 583 00:26:05,374 --> 00:26:08,417 - It is 1980s japan, and kogoro kurata 584 00:26:08,419 --> 00:26:12,261 Is like most boys of his age, obsessed with anime. 585 00:26:12,263 --> 00:26:14,873 (electronic music continues) 586 00:26:14,875 --> 00:26:19,961 Specifically mecha, giant fighting robots. 587 00:26:19,963 --> 00:26:22,438 - And like most kids of the '80's, kogoro kurata thinks, 588 00:26:22,440 --> 00:26:24,883 "wouldn't it be cool if these things existed in real life? 589 00:26:24,885 --> 00:26:27,628 Wouldn't it be cool if you could get into the driver's seat 590 00:26:27,630 --> 00:26:29,646 And control it and fight?" 591 00:26:29,648 --> 00:26:32,240 (electronic music continues) 592 00:26:32,242 --> 00:26:33,917 - [dan] by the time kogoro grows up, 593 00:26:33,919 --> 00:26:36,878 There are still no giant rideable robots. 594 00:26:36,880 --> 00:26:39,047 So he wonders, "why not?" 595 00:26:39,049 --> 00:26:41,533 - He gets tired of waiting and in 2012, 596 00:26:41,535 --> 00:26:43,143 He builds one himself. 597 00:26:43,145 --> 00:26:45,637 (japanese music) 598 00:26:45,639 --> 00:26:47,222 It's called "kuratas". 599 00:26:47,224 --> 00:26:51,259 It's 13 feet tall and you climb up into it. 600 00:26:51,261 --> 00:26:54,529 You close the hatch and you get behind the controls. 601 00:26:55,591 --> 00:26:57,198 It's every boy's dream. 602 00:26:57,200 --> 00:27:00,944 My own 13 foot tall, giant killer robot. 603 00:27:00,946 --> 00:27:02,212 (japanese music continues) 604 00:27:02,214 --> 00:27:04,097 (foreign language spoken) 605 00:27:04,099 --> 00:27:07,225 - "kuratas" is the first robot of its kind 606 00:27:07,227 --> 00:27:11,171 That is built to this scale and for this function. 607 00:27:11,923 --> 00:27:13,331 (foreign language spoken) 608 00:27:13,333 --> 00:27:15,917 - This robot is an amazing machine. 609 00:27:16,719 --> 00:27:20,922 It has 30 robotic joints and weighs five tons, 610 00:27:20,924 --> 00:27:24,609 And it actually shoots bbs with a gatlin gun. 611 00:27:24,611 --> 00:27:26,519 I'm talking like 6,000 a minute, 612 00:27:26,521 --> 00:27:28,112 That's a hundred a second. 613 00:27:28,114 --> 00:27:29,097 (edgy music) 614 00:27:29,099 --> 00:27:30,415 But what's really interesting 615 00:27:30,417 --> 00:27:33,543 Is how you trigger shooting these bbs. 616 00:27:33,545 --> 00:27:34,986 The trigger is a smile. 617 00:27:34,988 --> 00:27:37,446 (edgy music continues) 618 00:27:37,448 --> 00:27:39,031 (machine gun ratting) 619 00:27:39,033 --> 00:27:40,491 - If I am sitting in the "kuratas", 620 00:27:40,493 --> 00:27:43,745 This thing is not going to stop shooting bbs anytime soon, 621 00:27:43,747 --> 00:27:47,081 'cause I'm smiling from ear to ear. 622 00:27:47,083 --> 00:27:51,194 - [dan] "kuratas" even takes on a challenger in 2017, 623 00:27:51,196 --> 00:27:53,714 California's megabots. 624 00:27:53,716 --> 00:27:54,697 (horn sounds) 625 00:27:54,699 --> 00:27:55,774 - [announcer] and there's the horn. 626 00:27:55,776 --> 00:27:56,699 Here we go. 627 00:27:56,701 --> 00:27:59,644 (tense music) 628 00:27:59,646 --> 00:28:00,895 - [competitor] he's firing! He's firing! 629 00:28:00,897 --> 00:28:01,930 - [henny] those six barrels can fire 630 00:28:01,932 --> 00:28:03,631 Up to 2000 rounds per minute. 631 00:28:03,633 --> 00:28:05,742 - [announcer] "eagle prime", "kuratas" 632 00:28:05,744 --> 00:28:07,519 Engage in close combat. 633 00:28:07,521 --> 00:28:10,981 That chainsaw is now activated. 634 00:28:12,642 --> 00:28:15,643 (horn sounds) 635 00:28:15,645 --> 00:28:17,946 - Megabots is the first winner 636 00:28:17,948 --> 00:28:21,399 Of the first ever live action mecha battle. 637 00:28:21,401 --> 00:28:23,827 - [announcer] history has been made. 638 00:28:24,829 --> 00:28:25,895 - But don't feel bad for "kuratas" 639 00:28:25,897 --> 00:28:28,439 Because we have both "kuratas" and megabots 640 00:28:28,441 --> 00:28:30,833 To thank for bringing our childhoods 641 00:28:30,835 --> 00:28:33,161 Into actual real existence. 642 00:28:33,163 --> 00:28:34,463 - [dan] believe it or not, 643 00:28:34,465 --> 00:28:39,000 "kuratas" briefly goes on sale for a mere $1.3 million. 644 00:28:39,002 --> 00:28:41,185 Though in the end, no one pulls the trigger 645 00:28:41,187 --> 00:28:42,762 To bring their childhood fantasy home. 646 00:28:42,764 --> 00:28:43,488 To bring their childhood fantasy home. 647 00:28:43,857 --> 00:28:45,265 - And honestly, that sounds like a bargain, 648 00:28:45,267 --> 00:28:47,692 Considering it's cheaper than a bugatti 649 00:28:47,694 --> 00:28:50,103 And way more smiles per minute. 650 00:28:52,699 --> 00:28:54,699 - Like most of us, I'm sure you've come to 651 00:28:54,701 --> 00:28:55,783 Work in a bad mood before, 652 00:28:55,785 --> 00:28:58,536 But those days may soon be gone. 653 00:28:58,538 --> 00:29:01,456 Whether you are happy about it or not. 654 00:29:01,458 --> 00:29:04,442 (electronic music) 655 00:29:05,186 --> 00:29:08,120 - It's 2009 and keihin electric express railway 656 00:29:08,122 --> 00:29:11,866 Decides that happy employees are good employees. 657 00:29:11,868 --> 00:29:14,769 So, how do we prove that you're happy? 658 00:29:14,771 --> 00:29:18,948 - This japanese railroad company comes up with a test 659 00:29:18,950 --> 00:29:20,775 That the employees do every morning. 660 00:29:20,777 --> 00:29:23,978 They walk up to this camera and they smile. 661 00:29:23,980 --> 00:29:27,473 The computer analyzes the smile 662 00:29:27,475 --> 00:29:30,885 And grades the employee from zero to 100. 663 00:29:30,887 --> 00:29:32,720 (whimsical music) 664 00:29:32,722 --> 00:29:34,630 - It's not just your smile in your teeth, 665 00:29:34,632 --> 00:29:37,375 It analyzes your full smile. 666 00:29:37,377 --> 00:29:38,893 It's your eyes and your wrinkles. 667 00:29:38,895 --> 00:29:43,665 So if your smile is fake, this will call you out on it. 668 00:29:43,667 --> 00:29:46,675 - [dan] it even gives you tips on how to improve your smile, 669 00:29:46,677 --> 00:29:48,370 Like, "lift up your mouth corners," 670 00:29:48,372 --> 00:29:51,581 Or my favorite, "you still look too serious." 671 00:29:52,625 --> 00:29:53,774 Believe it or not, 672 00:29:53,776 --> 00:29:56,836 There's actually science behind this weird little device. 673 00:29:56,838 --> 00:29:59,080 - A lot of people think that your actions 674 00:29:59,082 --> 00:30:00,415 Follow your feelings, 675 00:30:00,417 --> 00:30:04,994 But psychiatry shows that your feelings follow your actions. 676 00:30:04,996 --> 00:30:06,437 So when you do the smile, 677 00:30:06,439 --> 00:30:09,257 It can trigger your brain to release endorphins, 678 00:30:09,259 --> 00:30:10,958 Which is a happy chemical, 679 00:30:10,960 --> 00:30:12,643 And you can actually feel better 680 00:30:12,645 --> 00:30:15,689 Just by the action of smiling. 681 00:30:17,675 --> 00:30:19,117 - The keihin railway company 682 00:30:19,119 --> 00:30:22,020 Was using this technology just to give advice, 683 00:30:22,022 --> 00:30:25,273 To try to get them to smile more at the customers. 684 00:30:26,201 --> 00:30:29,786 But in 2018, another company takes this one step further. 685 00:30:30,688 --> 00:30:33,874 - E-cometrue has you clock in every morning 686 00:30:33,876 --> 00:30:36,784 With a smile device. 687 00:30:36,786 --> 00:30:37,752 And if you fail, 688 00:30:37,754 --> 00:30:40,422 You're not allowed in the office for the day. 689 00:30:40,966 --> 00:30:42,882 - So you have to re-smile 690 00:30:42,884 --> 00:30:46,285 Until you're exhibiting true happiness. 691 00:30:47,038 --> 00:30:48,996 But you know what could make people feel better 692 00:30:48,998 --> 00:30:50,465 Even more effectively? 693 00:30:50,467 --> 00:30:54,102 Money. Give them a pay raise, give them some bonuses, 694 00:30:54,104 --> 00:30:57,305 Smiles throughout the room. 695 00:30:57,307 --> 00:30:58,214 (edgy music) 696 00:30:58,216 --> 00:30:59,474 - But it gets worse. 697 00:30:59,476 --> 00:31:01,592 The university of tokyo, it goes one step further. 698 00:31:01,594 --> 00:31:04,629 You want to get your food out of the office fridge, 699 00:31:04,631 --> 00:31:07,115 You have to unlock it with a smile. 700 00:31:07,117 --> 00:31:09,134 If you don't smile adequately enough, 701 00:31:09,136 --> 00:31:11,069 The fridge won't unlock for you. 702 00:31:11,913 --> 00:31:14,021 - If it's lunchtime and you're hungry, 703 00:31:14,023 --> 00:31:16,899 Hunger can lead to not being so happy. 704 00:31:16,901 --> 00:31:19,402 So you could go up to the refrigerator, hangry, 705 00:31:19,404 --> 00:31:22,881 And never get your lunch, which only makes you hangrier. 706 00:31:22,883 --> 00:31:24,048 You got to be careful. 707 00:31:24,050 --> 00:31:25,825 You got to think these things through. 708 00:31:25,827 --> 00:31:27,669 - [dan] while a future of forced smiles 709 00:31:27,671 --> 00:31:29,745 May not actually make us happy, 710 00:31:29,747 --> 00:31:31,806 This next invention could literally 711 00:31:31,808 --> 00:31:34,183 Change the way we see the world. 712 00:31:34,185 --> 00:31:36,168 - Smartphones have been getting smaller and smaller, 713 00:31:36,170 --> 00:31:39,755 But sony corporation wants to take it to a new level. 714 00:31:39,757 --> 00:31:41,115 (gentle music) 715 00:31:41,117 --> 00:31:43,434 Google glass was a set of ar glasses 716 00:31:43,436 --> 00:31:45,462 Where you're looking at the real world, 717 00:31:45,464 --> 00:31:48,406 But you have augmentation overlaid on top of it. 718 00:31:49,192 --> 00:31:50,599 It's essentially what you would see 719 00:31:50,601 --> 00:31:54,512 On your smartphone screen, just transparent in your glasses. 720 00:31:54,514 --> 00:31:59,550 But the price point of $1,500 made it hard to sell. 721 00:31:59,794 --> 00:32:02,128 - Another limitation is they, kind of, look dorky. 722 00:32:02,130 --> 00:32:05,223 And so, ultimately the best solution 723 00:32:05,225 --> 00:32:08,826 Would be to remove the glasses altogether. 724 00:32:08,828 --> 00:32:10,070 - [dan] many believe the answer 725 00:32:10,072 --> 00:32:12,489 Is to hide the hardware in your eyes. 726 00:32:13,399 --> 00:32:18,669 So in 2016, sony files a patent for a 'smart' contact lens. 727 00:32:18,963 --> 00:32:20,021 (upbeat music) 728 00:32:20,023 --> 00:32:22,573 - Instead of having a pair of glasses 729 00:32:22,575 --> 00:32:24,058 With information overlaid on it, 730 00:32:24,060 --> 00:32:27,061 The information is displayed in the contact lens itself. 731 00:32:27,063 --> 00:32:29,155 - The technology behind this is pretty incredible. 732 00:32:29,157 --> 00:32:31,582 It has a battery that gets charged up 733 00:32:31,584 --> 00:32:34,643 By the mechanical action of you blinking. 734 00:32:34,645 --> 00:32:38,248 You know, just charging my contact camera. 735 00:32:39,259 --> 00:32:40,750 - [dan] the developers say smart contacts 736 00:32:40,752 --> 00:32:45,213 Will change our lives as much as smartphones did in 2007. 737 00:32:46,182 --> 00:32:47,990 - Ostensibly, you would be able to do anything 738 00:32:47,992 --> 00:32:51,302 On these lenses that you can do on your cell phone screen. 739 00:32:51,304 --> 00:32:53,755 Check your email, find navigation directions, 740 00:32:53,757 --> 00:32:56,558 Look at pictures, and it also has a camera 741 00:32:56,560 --> 00:33:00,186 And onboard storage that can record video. 742 00:33:00,188 --> 00:33:01,929 - Imagine you could just look around the room 743 00:33:01,931 --> 00:33:03,898 And identify everyone in the room. 744 00:33:03,900 --> 00:33:07,276 It's like you googled them or an ai face search, 745 00:33:07,278 --> 00:33:10,588 And identify each person and get their full background. 746 00:33:10,590 --> 00:33:12,373 This thing is limitless. 747 00:33:12,375 --> 00:33:14,208 - [dan] it's not just a fun toy. 748 00:33:14,210 --> 00:33:16,444 It might even be able to save lives. 749 00:33:16,446 --> 00:33:18,020 - Because they're embedded in your eye, 750 00:33:18,022 --> 00:33:20,356 They might be able to monitor your vital systems 751 00:33:20,358 --> 00:33:23,117 And maybe even trigger the release of medication 752 00:33:23,119 --> 00:33:25,937 If they're perceiving that your vitals 753 00:33:25,939 --> 00:33:26,954 Are getting out of control. 754 00:33:26,956 --> 00:33:28,864 And that is an incredible thing. 755 00:33:29,593 --> 00:33:31,809 - [dan] but a fully integrated digital visual future 756 00:33:31,811 --> 00:33:34,629 May also come with some dark consequences. 757 00:33:34,631 --> 00:33:37,481 - There are a number of privacy issues involved here. 758 00:33:37,483 --> 00:33:39,542 If somebody is wearing them, they could be recording 759 00:33:39,544 --> 00:33:42,453 And the people around wouldn't actually be aware 760 00:33:42,455 --> 00:33:43,638 That they're being recorded. 761 00:33:43,640 --> 00:33:46,048 Not only that, we are already at a state 762 00:33:46,050 --> 00:33:48,567 Where we're a highly distractible culture. 763 00:33:48,569 --> 00:33:50,295 And bringing something that takes up 764 00:33:50,297 --> 00:33:53,164 Your entire field of vision with additional information, 765 00:33:53,166 --> 00:33:55,784 Seems like it could be a recipe for disaster. 766 00:33:57,253 --> 00:33:59,971 - [dan] whether the idea of 'smart' contact lenses 767 00:33:59,973 --> 00:34:02,915 Makes it to stores anytime soon or not, 768 00:34:02,917 --> 00:34:04,158 One thing's certain, 769 00:34:04,160 --> 00:34:07,921 Our future will look much different than our present. 770 00:34:08,573 --> 00:34:09,680 - When I got my glasses, 771 00:34:09,682 --> 00:34:11,849 My sister encouraged me to get contact lenses 772 00:34:11,851 --> 00:34:13,968 And I went in for my contact lens training session. 773 00:34:13,970 --> 00:34:15,670 And I went in for my contact lens training session. 774 00:34:15,672 --> 00:34:18,356 Sticking my finger in my eyeball, 775 00:34:18,358 --> 00:34:20,141 Is not the technology for me. 776 00:34:23,663 --> 00:34:25,254 - Have you ever dreamed you woke up trapped in a casket? 777 00:34:25,256 --> 00:34:27,690 You can't move. You can't breathe. 778 00:34:27,692 --> 00:34:30,852 In the 19th century, this fear is so real, 779 00:34:30,854 --> 00:34:33,020 The question for many becomes, 780 00:34:33,022 --> 00:34:35,281 Can modern innovation save us 781 00:34:35,283 --> 00:34:38,451 From such a ghastly second death? 782 00:34:39,662 --> 00:34:42,229 (person gasps) 783 00:34:42,231 --> 00:34:45,642 - Taphophobia is the fear of being buried alive. 784 00:34:45,644 --> 00:34:49,036 This is a persistent fear throughout the ages, 785 00:34:49,038 --> 00:34:50,779 But taphophobia is really, 786 00:34:50,781 --> 00:34:53,133 Really prominent in the 19th century. 787 00:34:54,060 --> 00:34:55,985 (tense music) 788 00:34:55,987 --> 00:34:58,304 Cholera is a huge issue. 789 00:34:58,306 --> 00:35:01,182 Cholera is one of these diseases that are wiping people out. 790 00:35:01,184 --> 00:35:05,186 - So when you have 5% of a population dying from cholera, 791 00:35:05,188 --> 00:35:06,979 You have a massive amount of bodies 792 00:35:06,981 --> 00:35:11,483 That also need to be buried in a very short period of time. 793 00:35:11,485 --> 00:35:13,211 - Cholera can induce coma. 794 00:35:13,213 --> 00:35:15,029 So you have a number of people who are afraid 795 00:35:15,031 --> 00:35:18,082 They're going to be buried in a coma state 796 00:35:18,084 --> 00:35:22,453 And wake up, reaching up, to only find a coffin lid. 797 00:35:22,455 --> 00:35:24,621 This just feeds into all these fears, 798 00:35:24,623 --> 00:35:27,149 This taphophobia that's already so rampant 799 00:35:27,151 --> 00:35:28,434 In the 19th century. 800 00:35:29,178 --> 00:35:32,689 - [dan] so, in 1829, a german engineer comes up 801 00:35:32,691 --> 00:35:34,399 With an unusual solution. 802 00:35:34,401 --> 00:35:37,435 - Dr. Johann taberger devises this system 803 00:35:37,437 --> 00:35:39,854 Where there's a bell on top of the grave 804 00:35:39,856 --> 00:35:42,414 And the string runs into the coffin. 805 00:35:42,416 --> 00:35:44,508 And when you wake up and you realize, 806 00:35:44,510 --> 00:35:47,278 "oh my gosh, I'm buried alive." 807 00:35:47,280 --> 00:35:52,025 You pull the string and it rings above your grave. 808 00:35:52,027 --> 00:35:53,817 - And crucially, we have an air tube 809 00:35:53,819 --> 00:35:56,087 Because you got to have fresh air. 810 00:35:56,089 --> 00:35:58,122 So, you've got your air tube, you can breathe, 811 00:35:58,124 --> 00:36:00,383 You're moving your hand, you're ringing that bell. 812 00:36:00,385 --> 00:36:02,410 Out come the spades, you're being dug out, 813 00:36:02,412 --> 00:36:04,036 Everything's going to be okay. 814 00:36:04,038 --> 00:36:05,020 (climatic music) 815 00:36:05,022 --> 00:36:07,432 - The problem is when a body decays, 816 00:36:07,434 --> 00:36:09,709 Gases build up, the body bloats. 817 00:36:09,711 --> 00:36:13,721 And what happens is that the bell might start to ring. 818 00:36:13,723 --> 00:36:17,124 - People were hired to sit in cemeteries just to make sure 819 00:36:17,126 --> 00:36:19,810 That these bells did or did not ring. 820 00:36:19,812 --> 00:36:21,645 Yes, they could be rung from a finger, 821 00:36:21,647 --> 00:36:24,382 But the wind could cause just as much ringing. 822 00:36:24,384 --> 00:36:26,083 (climatic music fades) 823 00:36:26,085 --> 00:36:27,368 (bell clanging) 824 00:36:27,370 --> 00:36:29,203 - [dan] as far as we know, there are no cases 825 00:36:29,205 --> 00:36:32,890 Of anyone actually being 'saved by the bell'. 826 00:36:32,892 --> 00:36:35,217 But why wait for someone to come dig you up 827 00:36:35,219 --> 00:36:37,069 If you can get out yourself? 828 00:36:37,071 --> 00:36:38,112 (tense music) 829 00:36:38,114 --> 00:36:40,748 - In 1843, christian eisenbrandt, 830 00:36:40,750 --> 00:36:43,968 He takes this idea of a safety coffin one step further. 831 00:36:43,970 --> 00:36:46,571 He calls it the "life preserving coffin". 832 00:36:46,573 --> 00:36:48,039 - "the life preserving coffin". 833 00:36:48,041 --> 00:36:49,240 It's a great paradox. 834 00:36:49,242 --> 00:36:53,110 So christian's idea is that if you move at all, 835 00:36:53,112 --> 00:36:54,161 Then the lid of the coffin 836 00:36:54,163 --> 00:36:56,580 Is just going to spring right open. 837 00:36:56,582 --> 00:36:57,990 That's going to be a problem, of course, 838 00:36:57,992 --> 00:37:01,152 If you've got the weight of six feet of dirt on you. 839 00:37:01,154 --> 00:37:04,322 So he does recommend being laid to rest 840 00:37:04,324 --> 00:37:06,324 In more of a mausoleum situation. 841 00:37:06,326 --> 00:37:09,394 But barring that issue, it's a great invention. 842 00:37:10,479 --> 00:37:12,497 - [dan] eisenbrandt really stands by his work 843 00:37:12,499 --> 00:37:13,589 Because when he dies, 844 00:37:13,591 --> 00:37:16,200 He's actually placed in his own invention. 845 00:37:16,202 --> 00:37:21,372 Unfortunately or fortunately, he never comes out. 846 00:37:21,374 --> 00:37:22,673 (edgy music) 847 00:37:22,675 --> 00:37:27,269 In 1868, another german inventor has a more practical idea. 848 00:37:27,271 --> 00:37:29,956 - Franz vester, he ups the escape coffin game. 849 00:37:29,958 --> 00:37:32,366 Escape coffins should not just be something for the rich 850 00:37:32,368 --> 00:37:35,536 Who can afford a above ground tomb. 851 00:37:35,538 --> 00:37:36,628 It can be something to save 852 00:37:36,630 --> 00:37:37,714 Those who are buried in the ground. 853 00:37:37,716 --> 00:37:40,758 - This coffin has a built-in escape route. 854 00:37:40,760 --> 00:37:43,210 He has a two foot square tube 855 00:37:43,212 --> 00:37:44,929 That goes all the way down to the coffin. 856 00:37:44,931 --> 00:37:47,631 So if you were buried alive, all you have to do 857 00:37:47,633 --> 00:37:50,935 Is shimmy your way up this pipe to freedom. 858 00:37:50,937 --> 00:37:53,821 - [dan] and in case you're not quite up for the climb, 859 00:37:53,823 --> 00:37:55,540 It's equipped with a wine holder, 860 00:37:55,542 --> 00:37:59,810 Giving you time to gather up some liquid courage. 861 00:38:00,480 --> 00:38:02,388 - Franz decides there's no better marketing 862 00:38:02,390 --> 00:38:05,307 Than to demonstrate that this truly works. 863 00:38:05,309 --> 00:38:06,917 (edgy music continues) 864 00:38:06,919 --> 00:38:09,904 He invites the media, he invites people to buy tickets. 865 00:38:09,906 --> 00:38:14,983 Hundreds flocked to see him buried alive in his coffin. 866 00:38:14,985 --> 00:38:18,012 The coffin's put in place, he climbs in, 867 00:38:18,014 --> 00:38:20,406 Dirt is thrown down, the whole works. 868 00:38:20,408 --> 00:38:22,550 He is truly buried alive. 869 00:38:23,736 --> 00:38:25,736 - 15 minutes goes by, 870 00:38:25,738 --> 00:38:29,599 Everyone's looking around going, "hmm." 871 00:38:29,601 --> 00:38:31,834 30 minutes goes by, 872 00:38:31,836 --> 00:38:35,079 Vester has not come up out of the tube yet. 873 00:38:35,081 --> 00:38:37,506 45 minutes goes by 874 00:38:37,508 --> 00:38:40,918 And people are starting to become concerned. 875 00:38:41,862 --> 00:38:45,456 - They're waiting and they're waiting and they're waiting. 876 00:38:45,458 --> 00:38:47,366 (tense music) 877 00:38:47,368 --> 00:38:51,186 And he finally pops up out of the tube, alive and well. 878 00:38:51,188 --> 00:38:53,114 And the crowd goes wild. 879 00:38:53,116 --> 00:38:57,000 (crowd cheering and applauding) 880 00:38:57,002 --> 00:38:58,978 - [dan] no one knows for sure if the long wait 881 00:38:58,980 --> 00:39:00,571 Was for a dramatic effect 882 00:39:00,573 --> 00:39:04,759 Or if he was just enjoying his pinot noir down there. 883 00:39:04,761 --> 00:39:06,535 Meanwhile, by the late 1800s, 884 00:39:06,537 --> 00:39:08,221 There's a new market to stop people 885 00:39:08,223 --> 00:39:11,123 Who are trying to get in to coffins. 886 00:39:11,125 --> 00:39:15,119 - Grave robbing becomes a big problem in the 19th century. 887 00:39:15,121 --> 00:39:17,955 The us has just been through the civil war, 888 00:39:17,957 --> 00:39:19,990 The economy has suffered greatly 889 00:39:19,992 --> 00:39:24,570 And people are in need of ways to make money fast. 890 00:39:24,572 --> 00:39:26,147 - So I can imagine a world in which people 891 00:39:26,149 --> 00:39:30,334 Are desperate to get jewelry or gold or other valuables, 892 00:39:30,336 --> 00:39:32,653 They might dig down and grave rob. 893 00:39:32,655 --> 00:39:34,138 - [dan] people aren't thrilled to learn 894 00:39:34,140 --> 00:39:37,125 Their dear old granny is getting dug up and robbed. 895 00:39:38,068 --> 00:39:40,670 So inventors decide the best way to stop grave robbers 896 00:39:40,672 --> 00:39:43,831 Is to make sure they never leave the cemetery. 897 00:39:43,833 --> 00:39:46,500 (pulsating music) 898 00:39:46,502 --> 00:39:49,886 - In 1881, thomas howell, he files a patent 899 00:39:49,888 --> 00:39:53,716 For a very unique kind of casket. 900 00:39:53,718 --> 00:39:56,476 This casket is meant to deter grave robbers 901 00:39:56,478 --> 00:39:57,444 And not just one. 902 00:39:57,446 --> 00:39:58,904 His casket is designed 903 00:39:58,906 --> 00:40:02,233 With essentially a landmine inside of it. 904 00:40:03,019 --> 00:40:05,786 - This "torpedo coffin" has a canister 905 00:40:05,788 --> 00:40:08,923 That contains a pound of black powder 906 00:40:08,925 --> 00:40:10,182 Just under the surface. 907 00:40:10,184 --> 00:40:12,659 And as soon as you hit it with a shovel... 908 00:40:12,661 --> 00:40:15,496 (explosive boom) 909 00:40:15,498 --> 00:40:18,458 - [dan] according to an ohio newspaper in 1881, 910 00:40:19,269 --> 00:40:20,526 It actually works. 911 00:40:20,528 --> 00:40:22,753 - Two grave robbers go after a coffin 912 00:40:23,656 --> 00:40:26,056 Protected by thomas howell's invention. 913 00:40:26,058 --> 00:40:28,926 (dramatic music) 914 00:40:30,280 --> 00:40:33,181 Boom goes the coffin, flynn ends up dead. 915 00:40:33,183 --> 00:40:37,493 The other has a mingled, gnarled leg as a result. 916 00:40:37,495 --> 00:40:40,538 - So imagine you die in a cemetery, 917 00:40:40,540 --> 00:40:41,547 Which is rather ironic, 918 00:40:41,549 --> 00:40:44,299 But at least you're already in your grave. 919 00:40:44,301 --> 00:40:46,060 - Grave robbing becomes such an issue 920 00:40:46,062 --> 00:40:49,396 That finally state law, kind of, catches up with them. 921 00:40:49,398 --> 00:40:50,881 - [dan] and I'm guessing the heat 922 00:40:50,883 --> 00:40:54,735 The cemeteries were packing, helped too. 923 00:40:54,737 --> 00:40:55,870 (fast-paced music) 924 00:40:55,872 --> 00:40:58,956 Humankind is constantly striving to reinvent 925 00:40:58,958 --> 00:41:01,842 Our way of life from birth to death, 926 00:41:01,844 --> 00:41:04,611 From how we move to how we see. 927 00:41:04,613 --> 00:41:07,514 But to achieve our outlandish dreams of the future, 928 00:41:07,516 --> 00:41:10,468 We have to start with the "unbelievable". 929 00:41:10,470 --> 00:41:11,886 (fast-paced music fades)