ThingamaBOB

Watch ThingamaBOB

  • 2014
  • 1 Season
  • 7.5  (19)

ThingamaBOB is an innovative series that aired on H2 in 2014. This unique show fuses science, engineering, and creativity in a spectacularly entertaining blend that appeals not just to technophiles, but also to everyday audience members. The power of creativity and problem solving is the fuel that feeds this series, providing a fresh perspective on what we can do with seemingly normal 'everyday' items.

The series follows the adventures of inventor extraordinaire, Bob Partington. An inspired and talented inventor and mechanical engineer based in Brooklyn, Partington is known for his creative solutions to everyday problems, and his work on the show is a perfect manifestation of his out-of-the-box thinking. Each episode of ThingamaBOB captivates viewers as they follow Partington on a quest to uncover, repurpose, and create with what most people would view as ordinary everyday items.

A typical episode starts by presenting Partington with three seemingly unrelated objects. These items, which might appear to be mundane aspects of everyday life such as a lawnmower, a typewriter, or a fire hydrant, become the raw material for Partington to transfigure into a delightful, often surprising, and always ingenious invention. The specific nature of the creations, their use, and the process of inventing compounds the thrill of the unexpected.

ThingamaBOB thrives on the unpredictability of the inventive process. Partington doesn't receive instructions or guides concerning what he should create with the provided items. The thrill comes from watching him come up with a concept and seeing how it takes shape from the ground up. His deep knowledge of various technological fields is frequently on full display, offering fascinating insights for viewers.

Building on the element of suspense, there's a time constraint that provides an exhilarating rush as Partington races against the clock to complete his inventions. The episodes are shot in a variety of settings, both within his marvelous creation-strewn workshop and outdoors, oftentimes where his inventions are field-tested.

Partington's persona is a significant part of the show's appeal. His creative mind and ability to improvise provide endless entertainment. Even when faced with the most random items, he never runs out of ideas. He’s constantly thinking on his feet, providing insightful commentary on his progress, setbacks and ultimate breakthroughs. By narrating his invention process in real-time, he effortlessly educates the audience about the principles of design, mechanics, and engineering that guide his creations.

The wild, wonderful, and often zany inventions that result from Partington's endeavors are the highlight of the show. Some of these creation may seem outlandish and bizarre but also amazingly useful or cool in situational contexts. As watchers, we get to observe how Partington masterfully transforms ordinary objects into extraordinary inventions while navigating the obstacles that naturally arise during the process. This duality makes the show a must-watch, not just for gadget enthusiasts and tech buffs, but for anyone who appreciates the beauty of human ingenuity and creativity.

ThingamaBOB is not just about invention; it’s an exploration of the creative process—an homage to human ingenuity, eccentricity, and the collective curiosity that propels our progress as a species. With the perfect blend of suspense, learning, and humor, it's a show that has much to offer for a variety of viewers.

Above all, ThingamaBOB makes it palpably clear that the world around us is full of potential, and that, given an inventive mind and a handful of random objects, there's no limit to what humans can create. This is not just a science or engineering show—it's a celebration of human creativity and the joy of invention. For anyone with an interest in the fascinating process of creation from conception to reality, ThingamaBOB is a must-watch. Even if you're not an inventor or a mechanic, you'll find yourself engrossed in this exciting series as Bob Partington turns the ordinary into the extraordinary.

ThingamaBOB is a series that ran for 1 seasons (10 episodes) between January 18, 2014 and on H2

ThingamaBOB
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Seasons
S'Mores Machine
10. S'Mores Machine
February 26, 2014
Bob incorporates a conveyer belt, charcoal and a bike chain to make three unique inventions.
Tent Slinger
9. Tent Slinger
February 26, 2014
Bob creates a new invention for a local diner with an air rifle; Bob gets innovative when utilizing a bag of sugar and a tent to create an automatic campsite.
Expanding Toolbox
8. Expanding Toolbox
February 8, 2014
Bob discovers an old-fashioned coffee grinder, a fireman's hose, and a rocking chair in the box. He first constructs a hypoallergenic invention for a volunteer fire chief with a peculiar food allergy and then helps a local carpenter to organize his tools with the fireman's hose. And finally, Bob perfects the martini, with a rocking chair.
Violin Doorbell
7. Violin Doorbell
February 8, 2014
This week Bob finds a a violin, a compass and a Bunsen Burner in the box. He draws inspiration from the movie Taxi Driver and decides to make an invention that helps a waiter deal with a crumby situation. Later, Bob builds a one of a kind doorbell for a new music shop.
Beer Slider
6. Beer Slider
February 1, 2014
This week Bob is given three items from America's great inventing past: the Morse code telegraph key, the phonograph, and a roll of tape. Telegraph keys were made to deliver messages, but Bob uses his to deliver beer. Then, Bob puts the phonograph and tape to good use by helping out a local tee-shirt shop.
BBQ Gun
5. BBQ Gun
February 1, 2014
A new box of objects means three new inventions. This week it's a jar of BBQ sauce, a cigar, and block and tackle. First, Bob builds a machine to help first-time cigar smokers light their stogies like a pro. Next, Bob uses the BBQ sauce in a machine for a new restaurant that needs a real BANG! to put them on the map. Finally, the team uses the block and tackle to free up some space in Bob's cramped shop.
Chair Pants
4. Chair Pants
January 25, 2014
When Bob receives a box with three random items somehow related to one another, he and his team have to figure out what to do with each one. Using a pair of Levi's jeans, Bob tries to invent something to help a tired concession stand worker get off of his feet when the boss isn't looking.
Tuba Keg
3. Tuba Keg
January 25, 2014
What will Bob do with a new box of three more random objects: an electrical wall plug, an ice cream cone, and a sousaphone (which everyone mistakes for a tuba)?
Paper Airplane Catapult
2. Paper Airplane Catapult
January 18, 2014
Bob makes an invention for a Coney Island deli inspired by the area's world famous amusement park, and Bob's love of well-sliced pickles. And later Bob builds something to launch the first plane in 40 years off of the USS Intrepid, a retired aircraft carrier that's been converted into a museum.
Pizza Guillotine
1. Pizza Guillotine
January 18, 2014
A box of seemingly random objects arrives at Bob's shop. Now Bob and his team need to use these items for three unique inventions.
Description
Where to Watch ThingamaBOB
ThingamaBOB is available for streaming on the H2 website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch ThingamaBOB on demand at Amazon, Vudu, Google Play and Apple TV.
  • Premiere Date
    January 18, 2014
  • IMDB Rating
    7.5  (19)