The Secret Life of the Vacuum Cleaner - Remastered
Why Hacker News recommends it
Recommended as a clear, charming explanation of how machines work, including a demonstration of building an electric motor.
What it is
Tim Hunkin's 1987 TV series episode on how vacuum cleaners and related household machines work, remastered and upscaled in 2021. It is part of the six-episode 'Secret Life of Machines' series with hands-on demonstrations of everyday technology.
Recommended by 3 HN commenters across 3 different months, 2021 to 2026.
What Hacker News said
Strong rec fake-name · 2022-10 · on “Novelty Automation”
Tim Hunkin (the man behind these arcades) also did an excellent video series called "The secret life of machines" for the BBC in the 80s. It was recently remastered, and is now up on youtube: [this video] (All three seasons!) I cannot recommend it strongly enough.
Recommends LeoPanthera · 2021-09 · on “200 Years Ago, Faraday Invented the Electric Motor”
It's (reasonably) easy to make your own electric motor, if you want a better understanding of how they work. Rex Garrod (of Battlebots fame) demonstrates his own one on Tim Hunkin's "The Secret Life of", here: [this video]
Recommends detourdog · 2026-08 · on “Compression Is Prediction”
They are not blog posts but it is a presentation of technical development that meets my standard. james burke connections [LINK] Tim Hunkin Secret Life of Machines [this video] I have read plenty of blog posts that meet my standard. If I can think of one I will post it.