How It's Made

The programme investigates the origins of materials and the evolution of manufacturing techniques over time, highlighting examples such as lace, antique frame replicas, orchids and unicycle wheel hubs. It examines how these items have been produced and sourced throughout history.

The programme titled Lace/Antique Frame Replicas/Orchids/Unicycle Wheel Hubs is an episode that looks at the origins of various materials and the way manufacturing methods have changed over time. It is presented as a straightforward investigation into how different items are sourced and produced, offering viewers a clear picture of the subject matter. In the core of the episode the focus turns to the journey of raw materials and the evolution of the techniques used to shape them. The narrative follows a selection of objects – delicate lace, reproductions of antique frames, cultivated orchids and the hubs of unicycle wheels – to illustrate how each material’s provenance and its associated processes have developed through the years. Each featured item serves as a case study. The lace segment traces the fibres and the hand‑crafting methods that have been refined, while the antique frame replicas highlight the recreation of historic designs using modern tools. The orchid portion examines the cultivation of a plant that demands specific growing conditions, and the unicycle wheel hubs demonstrate the engineering adjustments that have taken place in a niche mechanical component. Overall, the episode provides a concise overview of material sourcing and manufacturing progress, using these four diverse examples to give the audience a tangible sense of how production practices have advanced.