Rickard, Graham

Traces the history of spacecraft from the first satellite to the space shuttle, describing rockets and moon landings, how satellites affect our lives, and the latest space probes which are sending back information about unknown stars and planets.

Describes the events and aftermath of the 1986 nuclear reactor explosion in Chernobyl and discusses its long term effects and the future implications for nuclear power plants.

Describes the history of bridges, famous and unusual bridges, and bridge design and construction.

Discusses the mining of silver and its processing into objects with technological, medicinal, industrial, and artistic uses.

Describes the history of tunnels, the techniques used in building them, and their many uses.

Describes how people in different parts of the world build their homes using local materials available to them.

Describes the history of canals, from ancient channels to modern waterways and discusses their uses today.

Examines the use of tractors in agriculture, discussing the development and operation of tractors through the years, and how the machine has changed farming.

Explains how the Sun, which is the ultimate source of all energy on earth, can be used to provide electricity and power.

Describes the resurgence of water power, one of the oldest forms of alternative energy, and ways of using water as energy.