The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation Season 6, Episode 9: Vacuum Cleaners

1

Sewing Machines

Host Mo Rocca shows us the innovator creating superstrong thread from spider DNA; the boxing robot dodging your jabs; the tiny drone that keeps soldiers safe; and, when the sewing machine replaced the needle and thread.

30 min

2

Station Wagons

Host Mo Rocca shows us the bot baking you the freshest bread; the family building the air cleaner for the cleanest air; glasses to prevent motion sickness; and, going way, way back to the history of the station wagon.

30 min

3

Tripp Sawmill

Host Mo Rocca shows us the crime-fighting tether tripping up bad guys; the woman who started the blow-drying empire; window blinds powering your place; and, when the big wood saw was replaced with the sawmill.

30 min

4

Assistive Technology

Host Mo Rocca shows us the inventor of the Alinker Bike that’s changing the world for those with limited mobility; the school bus tracker cutting out waiting at bus stops; a shoe sole sensor keeping track of your feet; and, when tech began to aid accessibility.

30 min

5

Art Glass

Host Mo Rocca shows us robots that grow as they slither along; the wall shelves just for cats; French igloos, housing their homeless; and, when glass became artistic.

30 min

6

Inventor Tenacity

Host Mo Rocca shows us the emergency airplane slides for buildings and schools; parking sensors for your older car; the smartest ski boots on the slopes; and, the incredible tenacity it takes to be a successful inventor.

30 min

7

1865 Roper Steam Carriage

Host Mo Rocca shows us technology that lets firefighters see through smoke; replacing the needle with jet-injected medicine; an enzyme that can eat landfill plastic; and, the oldest surviving American automobile.

30 min

8

J.R. Jones General Store

Host Mo Rocca shows us a women’s rain boot stylishly keeping shoes dry; the tomato sorter swatting away the green ones; the folding origami hot drink cup with no plastic lid; and, before superstores, there were general stores.

30 min

9

Vacuum Cleaners

Host Mo Rocca shows us the device forcing scofflaws to pay parking tickets by covering their windshields; closing a wound with a zip, not a stitch; bike navigation showing riders the way; and, carpets took a beating until the vacuum cleaner was invented.

30 min

10

Comic Books

Host Mo Rocca shows us solar power that follows the sun; the wristband lulling you to sleep; the device letting us know if our water is pure; and, the beginning of superhero comic books.

30 min

11

Collections Connections

Mo Rocca shows us grown-up building blocks; the mechanical shoe for those who can’t bend over; the breathing pillow to snuggle you to sleep; and, keeping track of historic innovations.

30 min

12

Best of - Tripp Sawmill

Mo Rocca shows us the bot baking you the freshest bread; the crime-fighting tether tripping up bad guys; the tiny drone keeping soldiers safe; and, when the big wood saw was replaced with the sawmill.

30 min

13

Hybrid Technology

Host Mo Rocca shows us the robot helping keep hospitals running smoothly; the device that can detect if that spot on your arm is skin cancer; concrete that drinks up rainwater; and, how hybrid technology goes back a lot further in history than you might think.

30 min

14

George Washington Carver

Mo Rocca shows us the electronic glasses that allow the blind to see; the sun tracking umbrella shielding you from harmful rays; updates on past innovators from previous seasons; and, a look at George Washington Carver, who changed the way farmers farmed.

30 min

15

Mattox Family Home

Host Mo Rocca shows us the medical device giving shots with pressure instead of a needle; testing your eyes for glasses with an app on your phone; the airbag backpack saving people during avalanches; and, a glimpse at one family’s life during the 1930s.

30 min

16

Eggs

Mo Rocca shows us microphones listening for deforestation; the bot that disinfects the sheets on your bed; the braille watch letting the blind tell time; and, how eggs became a common food throughout America.

30 min

17

Mobile Music

Host Mo Rocca shows us the doorbell just for your dog; the toddler carrier that lets kids stand up for the ride; the app that counts your calories by taking a picture of your food; and, when music became mobile.

30 min

18

Best of - Sewing Machines

Host Mo Rocca shows us the inventor of a bike that’s changing the world for those with limited mobility; the emergency airplane slides for buildings and schools; glasses to prevent motion sickness; and, when the sewing machine replaced the needle and thread.

30 min

19

Tintype Photography

Host Mo Rocca shows us the tech perfecting downhill skiing skills without snow; the engineering transforming theater seats; starting a fire with the pull of a string; and, how pictures were taken before film.

30 min

20

Luther Burbank

Host Mo Rocca shows us the greening of mouth care with plastic-free tablet toothpaste; the smartphone harness preventing the drop; the cane for the blind that gives directions; and, the potato that started trillions of french fries.

30 min

21

Refrigerator Cars

Host Mo Rocca shows us the kitchen garden growing dinner; the robot keeping property safe; the screen filter that protects your eyes from dangerous blue light; and, how refrigerated railroad cars brought food to the masses.

30 min

22

Comic Book Beginnings

Host Mo Rocca shows us the innovator creating superstrong thread from spider DNA; technology that lets firefighters see through smoke; the breathing pillow to snuggle you to sleep; and, the beginning of superhero comic books.

30 min

23

Tools

Host Mo Rocca shows us the rise of shared electric scooters; the modular backyard ice rink; portable solar power to aid in disasters; and, how precision tools accelerated innovation.

30 min

24

Hay

Host Mo Rocca shows us the innovator replacing plastic straws with seaweed; the car alarm that texts you; the robot that writes on walls; and, how hay helps farmers keep livestock healthy.

30 min

25

Salt Kiln

Host Mo Rocca shows us the robot teaching children different languages; technology to prevent bed wetting among children; how salt helped beautify pottery; and advice from our past innovators.

30 min

26

Best of - Station Wagons

Host Mo Rocca shows us the woman who started the blow-drying empire; the school bus tracker cutting out waiting at the bus stop; concrete that drinks up rainwater; and, going way, way back to the history of the station wagon.

30 min