Breakthrough: The Ideas That Changed the World

Take a journey through history told through iconic objects modern people take for granted.

Support our Sponsors!

Become a Sponsor

Episodes

  • SCETV Passport

    This video is only available in SCETV Passport, a member benefit that provides on-demand access to a rich library of PBS programs.

    Log in to Watch Online

    Learn More About Passport »

    The Smartphone

    S1 Ep6 |
    Dial in to the fascinating history of the smartphone.
  • The Rocket: asset-mezzanine-16x9
    Embedded Video Link

    The Rocket

    S1 Ep5 |
    Blast off into history to see how rockets originated not in the sky, but in a cave.
  • The Car: asset-mezzanine-16x9
    Embedded Video Link

    The Car

    S1 Ep4 |
    Go for a ride through the 9,000-year history of the ultimate freedom machine: the car.
  • The Robot: asset-mezzanine-16x9
    Embedded Video Link

    The Robot

    S1 Ep3 |
    Check out the history of robots and learn how they are becoming a part of everyday life.
  • The Airplane: asset-mezzanine-16x9
    Embedded Video Link

    The Airplane

    S1 Ep2 |
    Take to the sky with the dreamers whose work gave humans the ability to fly.
  • The Telescope: asset-mezzanine-16x9
    Embedded Video Link

    The Telescope

    S1 Ep1 |
    Look back in time to see how humans invented the telescope.

About Breakthrough: The Ideas That Changed the World

Take a mind-blowing journey through human history, told through six iconic objects that modern people take for granted, and see how science, invention and technology built on one another to change everything. These are the secrets of how we got to our modern world.

Support our Sponsors!

Become a Sponsor

Extras