Ep 4. Robotic Hunting Decoys, Canned Tomatoes, Scoreboards, and Lassos

How It's Made is a documentary television series that explores the manufacturing processes behind everyday consumer products. In season 12 episode 4, viewers get a behind-the-scenes look at the production of robotic hunting decoys, canned tomatoes, scoreboards, and lassos.

The episode begins by showcasing the intricate process of creating robotic hunting decoys. These decoys are designed to look and move like real animals in order to attract prey while hunting. Viewers watch as technicians create the molds for the decoy bodies, apply the intricate coloring and detail work, and install the motors and other mechanical components that make them move. The episode also explores the science behind the decoys' movements, which must be calibrated to mimic the natural motions of the animals they represent.

Next, the show turns to the production of canned tomatoes, a staple in many households around the world. Viewers learn about the farming and harvesting techniques used to gather the fruit, which is then transported to a processing plant. Here, the tomatoes are washed, peeled, and chopped before being cooked and seasoned to perfection. The episode also takes a closer look at the canning process, which involves carefully filling, sealing, and sterilizing the cans to ensure they are safe and ready for consumption.

The third segment of the episode focuses on the manufacturing of scoreboards, which are used in a variety of sporting events to display the scores and other important information. Viewers are guided through the process by which electronic scoreboards are constructed, beginning with the design and fabrication of the metal frame and progressing to the installation of the LED displays and computer systems that control them. The episode also explores the technology behind the scoreboards, including the complex algorithms that allow them to display constantly changing information in real-time.

Finally, the episode concludes with a demonstration of the art of lasso making. This traditional cowboy skill involves creating a rope that is used to capture and restrain livestock. Viewers are taken to a workshop where skilled craftsmen demonstrate the various techniques involved in creating a lasso from scratch, beginning with the selection and treatment of the raw materials and progressing to the braiding and knotting of the rope itself. The episode also explores the history behind the art of lasso making, tracing its roots back to the earliest days of cattle ranching in America.

Overall, season 12 episode 4 of How It's Made provides a fascinating glimpse into the varied and complex processes that are involved in creating some of the everyday products we take for granted. From high-tech hunting decoys to humble canned tomatoes, and from cutting-edge electronic scoreboards to centuries-old cowboy tools, the episode showcases the creativity, innovation, and hard work that go into making the items we rely on every day.