How It's Made

The programme explores the techniques used to produce Navajo rugs, extract crude oil and construct kaleidoscopes. It also traces how each of these processes has evolved throughout the years. By comparing traditional methods with modern innovations, the series highlights the continual transformation of these crafts and industries.

The episode titled Navajo Rugs/Crude Oil/Kaleidoscopes is a programme that brings three seemingly unrelated crafts together in a single instalment. It is presented as a self‑contained episode that walks viewers through the making of each subject, giving a clear sense of what the show aims to cover. In the core of the episode, the production methods for Navajo rugs, crude oil and kaleidoscopes are laid out step by step. The narrative follows the hands‑on techniques used to weave the rugs, the extraction and refining stages that turn raw petroleum into usable oil, and the assembly of mirrors and coloured pieces that create a kaleidoscope’s shifting patterns. All three processes are examined in detail, showing how each is carried out from start to finish. Beyond the basic procedures, the programme also highlights how these practices have changed over time. It points out the way traditional Navajo weaving has been passed down and subtly altered across generations, the evolution of drilling and refining technology in the oil industry, and the gradual refinement of kaleidoscope construction from simple glass pieces to more sophisticated optical devices. By juxtaposing these three crafts, the episode offers a comparative look at how cultural, industrial and scientific developments have reshaped the way we create Navajo rugs, harvest crude oil and build kaleidoscopes, tracing each journey from its origins to its present‑day form.