How It's Made

The programme examines the production processes behind everyday items such as external hard drives, frozen shrimp, Thai rice boxes and paper towels. Each item is put under the microscope, revealing how they are made, with clear explanations of each step.

The programme is an episode that turns its lens on a handful of everyday objects – external hard drives, frozen shrimp, Thai rice boxes and paper towels – and treats them like the subjects of a scientific investigation. It’s presented as a straightforward look at the way these common items are produced, fitting neatly into the series’ habit of examining the ordinary in detail. In this instalment the production processes behind each of the four items are broken down and explained. Viewers are shown how an external hard drive is assembled, how frozen shrimp are prepared for the freezer aisle, what goes into making a ready‑to‑eat Thai rice box, and the steps involved in turning raw fibre into a sheet of paper towel. The episode walks through each stage, giving a clear picture of the manufacturing steps without venturing into speculation. The show continues its pattern of putting everyday products under a metaphorical microscope, offering a close‑up view that most of us never get to see. By focusing on items we use daily, the episode keeps the series’ emphasis on the hidden complexity behind the simple things that fill our homes and kitchens. Overall, the episode provides a concise, factual rundown of how these four seemingly mundane products come to market, shedding light on the technology, food processing and paper‑making techniques that make them possible.