How It's Made

The programme explores the construction techniques behind aluminium canoes, wooden stave bowls, wheelchair‑accessible vans and marimbas. It details the materials, tools and steps involved in creating each of these diverse products.

The episode is a programme that offers a close‑up view of the creation process behind a range of seemingly unrelated objects. It brings together aluminium canoes, wooden stave bowls, wheelchair‑accessible vans and marimbas, presenting each as a case study in practical craftsmanship. In the main body of the show the audience is taken through the steps involved in turning raw material into a finished aluminium canoe, the shaping of a wooden stave bowl, the conversion of a vehicle into a wheelchair‑accessible van and the assembly of a marimba. Each segment follows the same premise – to illustrate how the product moves from its basic components to a usable, finished form. The presentation is structured so that viewers can see the similarities and differences in the manufacturing approaches across the four items. By focusing on the essential stages of construction, the programme highlights the particular techniques and considerations that each craft demands. Overall, the episode provides a concise yet thorough look at the making of these four distinct objects, giving the audience a clearer understanding of the practical skills and processes that lie behind everyday and specialised equipment alike.