Ep 1. Mother Necessity

Schoolhouse Rock is an educational TV show that aired from 1973 to 1985, and then again from 1993 to 1999. The show mainly focuses on teaching children topics related to grammar, science, math, civics, and history.

In season 2 episode 1, titled "Mother Necessity," the show explores the concept of inventions and how they have changed the world. The episode begins with a catchy song called "Mother Necessity," which introduces the main theme. The song explains that when there is a need for something, people will find a way to create it.

The episode then takes a look at some of the most important and innovative inventions of all time. The focus is on how these inventions have impacted society and changed the way people live.

One of the first inventions the episode covers is the printing press, invented by Johannes Gutenberg in 1440. The episode explains how the printing press forever changed the way people could communicate and disseminate information. Books became more common and widespread, and information could be shared across broader audiences.

The episode then moves on to the steam engine, invented by James Watt in 1765. The steam engine revolutionized transportation and made travel much faster and easier. People could move around the country more freely, and goods could be transported more easily, paving the way for the Industrial Revolution.

Next, the episode focuses on the telegraph, invented by Samuel Morse in 1837. The telegraph allowed people to communicate across vast distances using Morse code, making communication much quicker and easier. The telegraph paved the way for modern communication technologies, including the phone and the internet.

The episode then moves on to the light bulb, invented by Thomas Edison in 1879. The light bulb revolutionized the way people lived by making it possible to have electric lighting instead of relying on candles and oil lamps. This transformed the way people lived and worked, making it possible to be more productive in the evenings and during the winter months.

After covering these famous inventions, the episode shifts focus to the importance of innovation and invention in general. The show explains that inventors can come from anywhere and that good ideas can come from anyone. The episode encourages kids to think creatively and try to come up with their own inventions or solutions to problems they encounter in their everyday lives.

Throughout the episode, the Schoolhouse Rock characters provide engaging and funny commentary on the inventions and their impact on the world. The upbeat music and colorful animation help make the episode both fun and informative.

Overall, "Mother Necessity" is a great episode that teaches kids about the power of invention and the impact it can have on society. The episode encourages kids to think creatively and emphasizes the importance of problem-solving in their everyday lives.