Ep 30. Balloons, Wallpaper, Frozen French Fries, Incandescent Light Bulbs

How It's Made season 4 episode 30 explores the fascinating manufacturing processes behind four everyday products: balloons, wallpaper, frozen French fries, and incandescent light bulbs.

The episode begins with the production of balloons, which starts with the mixing of latex and water in a large tank. The mixture is then piped into a machine that forms the balloon shapes, which are then dipped into a solution to make them more elastic. The balloons are then dried before being imprinted with designs and packaged for shipping.

Next, the show delves into the world of wallpaper, where a combination of printing and coating technology is used to create beautiful and intricate designs. The paper is first passed through a printer that applies the design, which is then locked in place with a coating of adhesive. The wallpaper is then cut and packaged for sale.

Moving on to frozen French fries, the show explores the process of taking raw potatoes and transforming them into the fast-food staple. The potatoes are first washed and peeled before being cut using a specialized machine. The fries are then blanched in hot water, flash-frozen using liquid nitrogen, and packaged for sale.

Finally, the episode concludes with a look at the manufacture of incandescent light bulbs. The process starts with a tungsten filament, which is wound around a support wire and placed in a bulb that has been evacuated of air. The bulb is then filled with an inert gas such as argon before being sealed and tested for defects.

Through this fascinating episode, viewers gain insight into the intricate and technical manufacturing processes behind these seemingly simple everyday products.