Ep 6. Safety Slide

The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation is an American TV show that focuses on innovative and exciting inventions and technologies that have the potential to change the world. In each episode, host Mo Rocca explores a range of amazing scientific, technological and industrial innovations, and today's episode, Safety Slide, is no exception.

The opening of this episode introduces us to a unique wheelchair basketball team where all the players have physical disabilities, including amputations and paralysis. These incredible athletes use specialized wheelchairs designed for basketball and demonstrate impressive skill and agility on the court. The team is a great reminder of the importance of inclusivity in sports and celebrates the amazing capabilities of para-athletes.

Next, Rocca explores the story of the Safety Slide, an innovative way to prevent household accidents and injuries. As Rocca explains, accidental falls and slips are responsible for over 30,000 deaths each year in the United States alone. The Safety Slide is a patented device that can prevent injuries by stopping falls and reducing the impact of slip-and-falls on hard surfaces like cement and tile. These safety slides are made of an incredibly strong, shock-absorbing material that cushions the blow of an impact, reducing the force on the body and minimizing the chance of injury. The Safety Slide is an incredibly simple solution to a common problem, and Rocca goes behind the scenes and interviews the inventors who made it a reality.

In the following segment, the show takes us to the East Coast where we witness the unique and fascinating world of sea glass collecting. Sea glass is created when pieces of glass are thrown into the ocean and then polished smooth over time by the forces of waves and sand. These days, sea glass is a popular find for beachcombers, and there are even organized sea glass festivals where collectors can display and sell their pieces. Mo Rocca interviews some of the world's most passionate sea glass collectors and explores the possibilities that they can make with their collected treasures.

In the remainder of the episode, Rocca introduces us to various inspiring innovators, including a young woman who has created an innovative app that uses facial recognition technology to helps match shelter dogs with potential adopters, a clever entrepreneur who has created a compact, foldable helmet for bike riders, and a group of inventors who have developed an ultrasonic sensor device that can identify quickly and accurately structural issues and cracks in concrete.

In each of these segments, Rocca demonstrates the incredible power of innovation, and how creative thinking can lead to exciting new solutions in every area of our lives. With each invention or innovation highlighted on the show, the viewer can see how even the most seemingly insurmountable problems can be solved with the right combination of ingenuity, creativity, and perseverance. It's a truly inspiring watch for anyone who is passionate about science, technology, and innovation.

The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation has been a staple of television for innovation and science enthusiasts for over six seasons. Each episode provides a compelling look at the latest groundbreaking inventions and innovations that have the potential to change our world, inspiring viewers to think outside the box and come up with their original ideas and solutions. Watch one episode and you'll be hooked, ready to explore the next big thing in science and technology.