How Do They Do It?

The programme examines the ancient Greeks' invention of parchment, detailing the techniques they pioneered that remain in use by contemporary manufacturers. It also showcases the step‑by‑step process of crafting shuttlecocks, highlighting the enduring craftsmanship involved in producing these items for modern use.

The episode is a programme that looks at two seemingly unrelated crafts – the creation of parchment by the ancient Greeks and the construction of shuttlecocks. Presented as a concise documentary segment, it fits within the series’ broader focus on historical techniques and their lasting impact, and its relevance to modern practices. In the first part, the show outlines how the Greeks first developed parchment, highlighting the methods they used that continue to be applied in modern paper‑making. It walks the viewer through the steps the ancients took, demonstrating that many of the principles behind today’s parchment remain rooted in those early experiments and the enduring legacy of those early techniques. The latter half shifts to the craft of shuttlecock production. Viewers are taken through the basic stages of assembling a shuttlecock, from selecting the appropriate materials to shaping the final product. The segment underscores that the same hands‑on approach that characterised ancient parchment work also informs today’s shuttlecock making, highlighting the continuity of craftsmanship across ages. Overall, the episode links an ancient invention with a contemporary sport, showing how techniques devised millennia ago still find relevance. By juxtaposing the two crafts, it offers a clear picture of continuity in manual skills, reminding us that many modern practices have their origins in the ingenuity of the ancient Greeks, demonstrating the lasting influence of ancient ingenuity on present‑day activities.