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TV series

How We Got to Now

Latest episode

S1 E6 · Sound

About How We Got to Now

How We Got to Now is a documentary TV series that premiered on PBS on October 8, 2014. It has 1 season and 6 episodes so far and has ended. The latest episode, Season 1 Episode 6 "Sound", aired on November 12, 2014.

How We Got To Now with Steven Johnson is a six part documentary series that reveals the story behind the remarkable ideas that made modern life possible; the unsung heroes that brought them into the world – and the unexpected and bizarre consequences each of these innovations has triggered.

  • Documentary

Last updated

Episodes

6 episodes · 1 season

Season 1

2014 · 6 episodes · Last episode: 11 years ago

How We Got to Now Season 1 release dates →
  1. How We Got to Now S1 E6 still E6

    6. Sound

    Finale

    30,000 year old traces of a desire to record sound are located in caves, how radio influenced the civil rights movement, the weapon that laid the ground work for today's mobile phones, and the role of the ultrasound in modern medicine.

  2. How We Got to Now S1 E5 still E5

    5. Cold

    Ice delivery becomes big business, the father of frozen foods, Clarence Birdseye, and his vision for the future, and penguins who live in the desert.

  3. E4

    4. Light

    The pioneers of light; Edison's light bulb; a French scientist accidentally discovers a neon light.

  4. How We Got to Now S1 E3 still E3

    3. Glass

    The invention of the mirror gives rise to the Renaissamce; glass lenses reveal worlds within worlds worlds; glass is essential; for communication in the deep ocean; glass lens allows millions to watch a man walk on the moon.

  5. How We Got to Now S1 E2 still E2

    2. Time

    With no natural light, submarines re-invent the workday. Frustrated with hundreds of local time zones, a railroad clerk fights to standardize time. Navigation, travel, and technology advances result from unrecognized contributions to time.

  6. How We Got to Now S1 E1 still E1

    1. Clean

    Dirty water is transformed with a series of innovations - Chicago builds America's first sewer system, and Jersey City makes water safe for drinking (and bikinis). Manufacturing is transformed with the elimination of dust.

Cast & crew

Created by Steven Johnson

How We Got to Now FAQ

Will there be new episodes of How We Got to Now?

How We Got to Now has ended, so no new episodes are scheduled. The final episode aired on November 12, 2014.

When did the latest episode of How We Got to Now come out?

The most recent episode of How We Got to Now, Season 1 Episode 6 "Sound", aired on November 12, 2014.

How many seasons of How We Got to Now are there?

How We Got to Now has 1 season with 6 episodes in total.

When did How We Got to Now first air?

How We Got to Now first aired on PBS on October 8, 2014.

How do I get notified when new episodes of How We Got to Now are released?

Download the Streambay app, follow How We Got to Now, and you'll get a push notification the moment each new episode is released.

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