Ep 11. Panama Canal

Since its opening in 1914, the Panama Canal has been considered one of the most monumental and significant engineering feats in human history. Modern Marvels season 19 episode 11, titled "Panama Canal", dives deep into the backstory, construction, and the cutting-edge advancements of one of the world's busiest trade routes.

The episode starts by providing a brief history of the region and the need for a passageway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Viewers are then taken on a journey through the construction of the canal, which began in 1904 under the direction of American engineer John Frank Stevens. Despite a series of setbacks and controversies, including the outbreak of yellow fever, the canal was completed in just over a decade. The immense scale of the project entailed moving more than 170 million cubic yards of dirt and rock to create the canal's massive channels.

As the episode progresses, the focus shifts to the modern era of the Panama Canal. In the aftermath of the canal's 1999 transfer from the US to Panama, the government sought to modernize and expand the canal. The production explores the complexities of the Panama Canal expansion project featuring the construction of the new locks, which were completed in 2016 to accommodate larger vessels. This expansion now enables ships carrying almost three times more cargo than before to pass through. In addition to this, the episode also highlights the canal's water-saving measures, including the use of recycled water and harvesting of rainwater.

The production also explores some of the innovative technologies used to manage traffic flow in the canal. One of these is the Remote Piloted System (RPS), a computer system that allows precise control of the ship movements. This technology helps to avoid collisions and improve efficiency. The episode reveals how the canal's operation is managed using high-tech communication tools, including the Global Positioning System (GPS), satellite monitoring, and radar.

The episode concludes by capturing a few real-life scenarios of the canal in operation, including the internal workings of the control towers and procedures that the ships undergo before starting their journey. Additionally, experts in the field comment on their views of the canal's future, as it positions itself to remain a vital aspect of global trade well into the future.

In conclusion, Modern Marvels season 19 episode 11, "Panama Canal," is an insightful look into the history, evolution, and cutting-edge technology of the canal that shaped world commerce for over a century. By incorporating both vintage and modern footage, and comments from experts in the field, the production is sure to captivate viewers of all ages, especially those with an interest in history, engineering, and technology.