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S12 E7 · Your car's engine only works because of a computer
Technology Connections is a talk and documentary TV series that premiered on YouTube on September 23, 2015. It has 12 seasons and 65 episodes so far. The latest episode, Season 12 Episode 7 "Your car's engine only works because of a computer", aired on September 24, 2026.
Technology Connections is an educational YouTube channel created by Alec Watson. It explores the history, engineering, and inner workings of everyday technology, including consumer electronics, household appliances, transportation, lighting, and audio and video equipment.
Last updated
65 episodes · 12 seasons
2015 · 4 episodes · Last episode: 11 years ago
In today's episode of technology connections, we take a look at the vacuum tube. This simple device had tremendous implications for sound reproduction. We explore how vacuum tubes revolutionized radio, and why they were necessary to make radio practical. Vacuum tubes made possible the next advancements in sound technology.
Thomas Edison's cylinder phonograph was fantastic, no doubt. Can you imagine what it would've been like to hear the first artificial sound? But Edison's mind for the accurate doomed his cylinder, because the cylinder as it turns out is a really stupid shape for this sort of a thing. Emile Berliner threw accuracy to the wind with his disc phonograph, assuming people would rather deal with an easier and cheaper phonograph than a more "scientifically correct" one. Boy was he right.
Bell's invention, the telephone, was the first device capable of reproducing sound. But it couldn't record it. Thomas Edison's invention of the phonograph brought us the first device capable of capturing sound to be played back later. How did Edison figure this out? By combining one of his earlier ideas with the ideas in the telephone, Edison was able to bring a revolutionary product to market (well, sort of). This week, we're exploring how Edison thought up his device.
Alexander Graham Bell is famous for his invention of the telephone. In 1876, his device was the first ever to be able to reproduce sound. Before its invention, nothing existed capable of taking sound waves and replicating them. Bell's invention marks the beginning of our journey through time. This series, of which this video is the first, will be taking you step-by-step through the history of sound reproduction. We begin today with the Telephone.
2016 · 10 episodes · Last episode: 9 years ago
In the video today we look at current home automation technologies and what's behind them. I illustrate what's involved in adding a new device to a home automation network (it's actually quite easy) as well as demonstrate how they work.
It's not hard to make things safer. But sometimes people don't think about the tools they already have. With a simple reprogramming of an engine computer and perhaps with the addition of a sensor or two, the Jeep that killed Anton Yelchin could have saved his life. If cars were able to detect that their driver had exited, accidental rolling of a car could be a thing of the past. If we're lucky, it will quickly become one.
If you remember the cassette as sounding awful, I have news for you. They actually sound just fine. The Compact Cassette has a unique history in the world of sound, which we explore along with their attributes in this Tech Explorations video.
As more and more EV's make it onto our roadways, people start to freak out about how we're going to charge all these things. The thing is, they shouldn't. EV's are so much more efficient than their gasoline powered counterparts that they don't consume all that much electricity, in fact the size of the grid only needs to increase about 4.5% to accommodate an entirely electric commuter fleet. But people still worry about charging them. In this video, I explain why this shouldn't worry you in the slightest.
The technological advances that we've investigated so far have revolved around the vacuum tube. But the invention of the transistor really sparked a whole new era of sound. The advent of small circuits for sound reproduction meant that things could shrink. Tape went into cartridges. Amplifiers used less energy. And everything became more robust.
On Technology Connections, we looked at this machine briefly when we explored the invention of magnetic recording technology. Now, in long form, is a more thorough look at this machine and how it works. We start with an overview of operation, then take it apart to get a look at the inside.
We've come along way since the invention of the phonograph. But up to this point, artificial sound was still decidedly artificial sounding. "High fidelity" isn't really one technology, but a collection of technologies that combined to create natural sounding recordings. Similarly, stereo sound, though now completely universal, had to be introduced.
From the Chevy Volt, to the Nissan Leaf, to the Tesla Model S, electric cars seem to be the way of the future. Join me as we explore a typical wind farm and discuss the potential for wind energy and electric cars. While today's electric grid propels these bastions of modern engineering with a fair bit of fossil fuel, it's clear that electric cars are pretty green and will only continue to get greener.
Rather than use electromagnets to cut a groove, why not use them with other magnets? By using materials that could be magnetized, the electromagnets used in the phonograph cartridge could be adapted into a magnetic recorder.
Once we figured out how to amplify a signal with a vacuum tube, the possibilities became endless for the world of sound recording.
Episodes for this season haven't been announced yet.
Episodes for this season haven't been announced yet.
Episodes for this season haven't been announced yet.
28 episodes
Ever wonder how dishwashers work? Are you ever bummed by the performance of yours? Well, this video can answer your question and possibly provide you with a solution!
Yes indeed, these are silly! Very silly! But, mesmerizing.
Yep! Gonna get questionably gloopy! Seriously, Don't try this at home. Only use chemicals in ways they're meant to be used. Be good :)
Seriously. How is this so old and yet so advanced? We need kitchen appliance reform. Vote YES on prop SRCT.
Ever wonder how pro cameras from the 1970's worked? Learn about their single most important tool for the photographer (and lots else!) in this exposé.
Let's not get too heated, this is after an inflammable subject. Frankly it's exhausting, but we gotta do it. We gotta explain how furnaces work! And soon, we'll talk about what will replace them. I'll try to remember to put a link here when that time comes!
THERE HAS BEEN SOME NEWS - There's a pinned comment you might want to read. But there's some links down here, too.
I think we really oughta make this fashionable again, don't you?
Road signage and other markings may be something you take for granted, but have you ever wondered how they can appear so brightly with just the output of your headlights? Find out how, and get a load of other trivia, in this video!
Well now, what do we have here? It's a CD player... but also a turntable? Hmm... very interesting. But why? How? And is it actually a good idea? Lucky for you you've clicked on this video and will find out!
It's that time again! Time to take a deep dive into the mundane to see what we can learn. Join me as we look at this sprinkler!
You know, it's one thing when a product has a limited scope and application. It's another when it's passed off as something greater than what it is. Learn why these fad devices are fad devices in this video.
It's a real lost opportunity that we didn't call these Cassettepters. It's not-at-all difficult to say! OK, maybe Cassepter would be easier but isn't that, like, a sword or something? The descriptions are getting weird.
I know, my use of a laptop (and worse, that I like it!) makes me a truly terrible person.
It's more than 120V. It's even more than the other 120V! It is the sum of the two (and sometimes a different two!) that makes us who we are. Learn about the US electrical system in this not-at-all snarky video!
I love this toaster so dang much.
You might have been seeing a lot about these little devices lately. Have you ever wondered how they work? Well, let's find out!
This video is absolutely fantastic. Ever wonder why it goes Off-High-Medium-Low? Well, it has to do with motors and the ways we cheat with them.
We're really looking at the plusses and minuses of this whole ordeal... Links to referenced videos are down here, too! So I don't wanna hear any complaints about cards not working, ok?
Do you like your coffee to have a little kick? Then try a percolator! It's like tasting a shoe! Seriously. Why are these still a thing? I don't know but let's talk about them!
This video is super cool. We're talking about refrigeration, and how the design of a refrigerator affects its energy consumption. Freezers are the perfect place to see this in action, so let's take a look!
You thought the last video was complicated? Ha! Today, we take a look at the selection accumulator; how it works, what it does, and how that relates to the rest of the machine. Strap in, folks!
Ever wonder how we made all these crazy machines do all their crazy machine things before computers came along? Wonder no more as we explore the inner workings of a Wurlitzer 3400 series jukebox from 1970!
You can support this channel on Patreon! Link below Yep. Teleprompters. That's what this video's about.
You can support this channel on Patreon! Link below
You can support this channel on Patreon! Link below The end is near. The death knell approaches. What will become of RCA’s invention? And is this really the end? Would you like fries with that?
You can support this channel on Patreon! Link below Bet you didn't think a rice cooker was so interesting, did ya?
You can support this channel on Patreon! Link below Alright, here it comes! The fourth part.
2021 · 24 episodes · Last episode: 4 years ago
Today your prints will come, and they're fresh.
What a strange tradition.
Putting the "No" in "No Effort November"
Developers! Developers! Developers! Developers! Developers!
Cameras. How do they work?
The answer may surprise you.
Fun times to be had over on Connextras!
New rule: instructions on how to use the consumable thing from those who are incentivized to keep selling it to you ought not be trusted.
Use your blinkers.
The pressure's getting to me.
"Reduce emissions and save the grid with this one weird trick!!!" -Confucius
This was a really bright idea.
It's all about the air.
I hope this discussion really strikes a cord.
Bet you didn't think these things were useful now, did ya?
It's a simple one this time. Simple! Simple!
It's time.
It really was a bright idea.
It's so cold that it's hot.
It's yellow!
These things are so cool they're hot.
All I can really say is thanks a million!
The air. It holds water! And how much it holds matters! A lot, in fact. Sometimes we need to adjust it in the upwards persuasion. Learn why and how in this little ol’ video!
2022 · 19 episodes · Last episode: 3 years ago
Movies made sound with a light bulb: Sound-on-film
The decorative lamp that's built wrong on purpose
Seriously. It's a good idea!
Yep. It's a video!
Think of the children!
There will be highs, there will be lows, but they would always be the same. Until 1957 anyway.
Amazing what you can do with a few photons here and there.
That is what this video is. It's a lot simpler than you think!
Gather 'round the fire with some delicious cups of hot brown as I tell you the story of American hot brown.
I was really taken aback when I learned how this works.
Which one is better? Now that's a burning question. Also, don't start tearing apart smoke alarms and playing with the americium. It's mostly harmless when outside your body but if it gets in there can be trouble.
Gonna take on a light subject today.
It's not really a mystery.
It's here, it's fast, and when batteries catch up to it, road trips will be a piece of cake!
For photos made with potatoes, these are remarkably good.
Is this the last video on heat pumps? Well, for a while anyway. This isn't a complete picture by any means, but I hope that you leave this video with the knowledge that this future is well within our grasp.
More pumping. More now.
Is this a bright idea? Or will it eventually leave you in the dark?
If any of you have something to say about my hair, I'm gonna need you to can it. Unless you like it, then please shower me with compliments!
2023 · 20 episodes · Last episode: 2 years ago
ch ch ch ch ka CHUNK ch ch ka-CLACK-Y bomp
(sigh) here we go again
Try it. You know you want to.
Oh boy!
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP
Shoot for the magic trunk!
The answer may surprise you!
I had no idea that's what's going on inside.
A surprisingly good series of events have unfolded, and this video is my mea culpa. Also, Sorry, John!
It's a hot topic.
Seriously. Sometimes it's not worth having so much information.
The history here is wild!
Truly, this is a pressing issue. I hope somebody at the helm is watching.
This discussion is long-overdue.
I really hope this clicks for you.
There's some pretty cool stuff out there. Speaking of stuff,
We answer that question!
Energy management is a really powerful idea.
Pretty clever, ain't it?
It's about time.
2024 · 21 episodes · Last episode: 1 year ago
And it wasn't hard at all!
At last I see the light.
These are some of my biggest fans.
Goodness gracious, great balls of fire.
It's full of hot air.
Just understand what you're signing up for.
It's like, free real estate.
Press dots to check.
Not such a cool idea after all.
Don't tell Fozzie Bear about this.
Shut the front door.
Not that kind of crystal.
Seriously - where'd they go?
The numbers don't look good, Jim.
Let your dishwasher do the work for you!
Tilt!
When it's wet it wipes.
Hehe. Doody cycle.
A pretty bright idea. At least at first.
More Pumping More Now
I see spots.
2025 · 16 episodes · Last episode: 11 months ago
mm mm moist
It's the most wonderful time of the year.
That title might be the best effort I can pull off.
Cool tapes.
Some "innovations" really are gimmicks after all.
Three of them. That's three times more than usual!
It's catalactually a pretty cool idea.
A whole new meaning to "spin dry"
Never underestimate the usefulness of compatibility.
Magnets.
Seriously, make your life easier and don't go overboard for no reason.
Clearly a lot of people forgot about those pesky captions.
A dry subject that's not so cool.
Thinking is fun, actually!
This surely won't make me seem like a crank.
It's best to know what you actually need to be worried about.
2026 · 7 episodes · Last episode: 1 month ago
Beep boop. Engine better now.
Cooly hot. Or hotly cool.
Make it breezy.
It's a really good idea and everyone hating on it probably doesn't understand it.
A proverbial one, anyway.
What really grinds my gears is a lack of sufficient lubrication.
Let's learn and grow. New things are cool!
Created by Alec Watson
A date for the next episode of Technology Connections hasn't been announced yet. Follow Technology Connections in the Streambay app and you'll be notified as soon as a new episode airs.
The most recent episode of Technology Connections, Season 12 Episode 7 "Your car's engine only works because of a computer", aired on September 24, 2026.
Technology Connections has 12 seasons with 65 episodes in total.
Technology Connections first aired on YouTube on September 23, 2015.
Download the Streambay app, follow Technology Connections, and you'll get a push notification the moment each new episode is released.
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S540 · E7 9 months ago
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S25 · E235 1 year ago
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