Ep 5. Matches and Fine Porcelain

Matches and Fine Porcelain are the stars in Season 4 Episode 5 of How It's Made. The show takes us on a tour of the production process for these two everyday items that most of us take for granted.

The episode starts by showing how matches are made. We start with the striking surface. It is basically a fine sandpaper that is glued to a small piece of cardboard. The striking surface is then inserted into a metal frame, which is attached to a printing press. The press is used to print the designs and safety messages onto the cardboard.

Next, we see the production of the matchstick itself. The matchstick is made by cutting thin strips of aspen wood and dipping them into a tank of chemicals. The chemicals include both a mix of sulfur and potassium chlorate. This is what gives the matchstick its combustible properties. After this, the sticks are dried and then cut to the appropriate length for matches.

Once the wooden matches and the cardboard pieces are produced, they are brought together on an automated assembly line. The cardboard piece is coated with a layer of wax and then a layer of sulfur. The matchsticks are then added to the strip of cardboard, with each matchstick placed on top of the sulfur layer with the combustible end sticking out. The strips of matches are then cut to size and bundled together, ready for packaging.

After the mesmerizing process of match production, the episode then transitions into the artistry of fine porcelain. We get to see a behind-the-scenes look at the craftsmanship involved in producing beautiful and delicate porcelain dinnerware.

The episode takes us to a factory, where we see a mix of traditional and modern production techniques. First, the basic shape of the dish is casted using slip-casting techniques. The mold is then brought to a technician who will refine and perfect the shape of the dish by hand. We then get to see how the intricate designs and patterns are added to the dish by using techniques such as screen printing and lithography.

The most interesting part is when we get to see the process of glazing and firing the porcelain. The dinnerware is coated with a glaze, which is a type of liquid glass that will react with the high temperatures of the kiln and solidify into a hardened surface. The kiln is heated to over 1200°C, which causes the porcelain to harden and solidify. Once the firing process is complete, the dinnerware is decorated with precious metals such as gold or platinum.

The episode ends by showing us the end products - a huge variety of beautiful dishes, plates, and bowls. It is a visual feast as we see all the different designs and patterns, and we realize the sheer amount of work that goes into each and every piece of porcelain.

Overall, Season 4 Episode 5 of How It's Made is a fascinating look into the production of matches and porcelain dinnerware. It is a reminder that many of the everyday items we use and consume have a rich and complex history behind them, and it is worth taking a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship and science that goes into their production.