Plot Synopsis

Celebrating ingenuity, invention and imagination brought to life on a grand scale, this documentary series tells the fascinating stories of the doers, dreamers and sometime-schemers who created everyday items, technological breakthroughs and man-made wonders.

Now hosted by food author and culinary entrepreneur Adam Richman, MODERN MARVELS returned for a new season on Sunday, February 21, 2021 at 10pm ET/PT on History Channel. This season follows host Richman around the country as he finds out everything there is to know about the making of some of America's favorite foods from chocolate, to cheese and ice cream. Exploring the behind-the-scenes processes of popular foods, and the inspiration behind each product, the series presents the how, why, and where of numerous products, supplemented by archival footage, engaging expert interviews, and on-site visits. From behemoth factory lines using expertly choreographed machines that create thousands of products a minute, to smaller, locally owned shops that rely on hands-on hard work and entrepreneurial know-how to make their merchandise, American ingenuity comes in all sizes.

Season 19 of MODERN MARVELS premiered on Sunday, July 25, 2021 at 10pm ET/PT on History Channel. In the season opener, "Adventure Machines," adrenaline runs high when Adam Richman visits the factory where Yamaha makes ATVs, Waverunners, and more. Then, the episode takes an inside look at a company built to get people sky-high in paramotors, as well as amusement park Diggerland USA, a place that has to be seen to be believed. Can mech-suits become the sport of the future? Please, learn all about a personal submarine built for under-sea sightseeing for two.

The 20th season of MODERN MARVELS debuted on Sunday, November 28, 2021 at 10pm ET/PT on History Channel. In this special episode, "Classic Toys" -- which debuted immediately after the series premiere of THE TOYS THAT BUILT AMERICA -- Adam's not playing around, he's working hard to find out how some toys transform into valuable collectibles and become iconic classics. Adam gets VIP access to see how Play-Doh is created, and how every can gets that amazing smell. Plus, he visits the mecca of pinball manufacturing to see how their pinball machines have outlasted the competition and even the law! Then, how have Slinkys kept springing back? And, an inside look at how Lionel trains keep chugging.
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History Channel premieres the 21st season of MODERN MARVELS on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 from 9-11pm ET/PT, as the cable channel debuted back-to-back new episodes:

"Wild Rides" (9pm): Sit tight and belt in because while there are over 230 million licensed drivers in America; we are going way beyond the driver's seat of your average automobile. It's time to jump behind the wheel of some of the biggest, fastest, most powerful machines on the planet. From battle tanks to blimps, helicopters to harvesters, you'll get the chance to sit in the driver's seat of some the world's most incredible vehicles for some truly wild rides.

"Steam Power" (10pm): Turn up the heat because it's time for steam power. From Jay Leno's personal steam cars and 11-ton steam engine to carousels, boats and skyscrapers fueled entirely by steam, Modern Marvels takes a deep dive into one of the oldest means of locomotion. It's high tech -- 1800s style -- as we travel the country in search of the most incredible vehicles, engines and even robots that run on steam power.