Watch James May's 20th Century

Name: James May's 20th Century
Genre: Documentary & Biography
Released: 2007-07-10
Cast: James May

2007
1 Season
7.7 (313)

James May's 20th Century is a fascinating exploration of one of the most tumultuous and transformative eras in human history. Hosted by the witty and engaging James May, this documentary series takes viewers on a journey through the people, events, and innovations that shaped the course of the 20th century.

Over the course of six hour-long episodes, May offers a comprehensive look at the key moments and movements that defined the century, from the rise of mass production and the automobile to the invention of the computer and the birth of the internet. Along the way, he introduces us to the inventors, thinkers, and visionaries who transformed the world, from Henry Ford and Thomas Edison to Steve Jobs and Bill Gates.

Each episode is centered around a different theme, such as transportation, communications, or entertainment, and includes fascinating archival footage, interviews with experts, and May's signature blend of humor and insight. Whether he's test-driving a vintage sports car, cycling through the streets of London, or exploring the history of television, May brings his unique perspective and lively personality to every topic he covers.

What sets James May's 20th Century apart from other historical documentaries is its focus on the ways in which technological and cultural developments interacted to shape the world we live in today. For example, in the episode on transportation, May examines how the mass production of cars led to the creation of sprawling suburbs, which in turn changed the way we work, shop, and interact with each other. In the episode on entertainment, he explores the impact of television on society and the revolutionary role played by the small screen in shaping our cultural identity.

Throughout the series, May makes complex concepts accessible and entertaining for viewers, whether he's explaining the science behind the creation of the first transatlantic cable or the significance of Soviet propaganda posters. His enthusiasm for the topics he covers is infectious, and his ability to make even the driest subject matter interesting is a testament to his skill as a presenter.

Overall, James May's 20th Century is an engaging and informative series that provides a comprehensive overview of one of the most consequential eras in human history. Whether you're a history buff or simply curious about the world we live in today, this show is sure to entertain and enlighten.

James May's 20th Century is a series that ran for 1 seasons (9 episodes) between July 10, 2007 and on Acorn Media

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Seasons

9. Power to the People

August 5, 2013

How can we satisfy the world's insatiable appetite for energy-and find a source that is cheap, clean, and will never run out? May visits inventors all over the world who believe they can accomplish all four by capturing the power of sun, sea, and wind. Some claim they can even create fuel out of thin air.

8. Man-Machine

August 5, 2013

May goes on a quest for a better robot: a hybrid with the intelligence of a human and the brawn of a machine. He meets a mechanically assisted superwoman and a freaky android double, comes face-to-face with a robot that can think for itself, and is transformed into an avatar, a digital representation of himself.

7. Come Fly With Me

August 5, 2013

What's the best way to beat the traffic? The most obvious solution is to fly above it all. May examines the most efficient means of getting from A to B, from the rocket belt and the sky car to teleportation and the once top-secret Soviet-era "Caspian Sea Monster."

6. Big City, Bright Lights

July 24, 2007

As more and more people moved to urban centers in search of work and excitement, the only way to build was up. But how did we construct skyscrapers that appear to defy gravity? Why is an electrician from Newcastle the unsung hero behind our 24-hour lifestyle? And what motivates May to drop a Mini Cooper on a plate-glass window?

5. Inventing the Teenager

July 24, 2007

In 1900 "there were no teenagers," claims May. So what spawned them? Was it the nylon-inspired fashion revolution, crystal radio, vinyl records, the first Japanese motorcycles, or the electric guitar? May sets out to discover how, during the course of the 20th century, the teenager emerged as a distinct entity.

4. Take Cover!

July 17, 2007

According to May, necessity isn't the mother of invention--war is. He posits that humans do their best work "when trying to kill each other." May tracks developments in 20th century's most deadly form of warfare, aerial warfare, from the earliest reconnaissance planes and WWI dogfighters to the Royal Air Force's latest supersonic jet.

3. Body Fantastic

July 17, 2007

Not so long ago, each of us had to spend our whole lives with the bodies we were born in--but not anymore. May examines how we can correct and compensate for medical problems, such as missing limbs or defective hearts. In the process, he shows that we can now defy the hand we were dealt at birth and, by unraveling our DNA, discover who we really are.

2. Blast Off!

July 10, 2007

His childhood dreams of becoming an astronaut so far unfulfilled, May instead reruns the 20th century's space races. He begins with the V2 rockets that the Nazis rained down on London and moves on to the eventual rocket rivalry between Russia and America. All the while, he seeks to answer the question, was it all really worth it?

1. Honey, I Shrunk the World

July 10, 2007

May reconsiders the major breakthroughs in transportation over the last 100 years, starting with the first transatlantic airplanes and the Model T. In the end, he concludes that these inventions shrunk the world not by allowing us to see more of it, but--thanks to television, computers, and fiber optic cable--by increasingly bringing it to us.

Description

James May's 20th Century is a series that ran for 1 seasons (9 episodes) between July 10, 2007 and on Acorn Media

Where to Watch James May's 20th Century

James May's 20th Century is available for streaming on the Acorn Media website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch James May's 20th Century on demand at Amazon and Apple TV.