#mechanical-engineering
11 episodes
#3898: The Box That Warps: Moving vs Storage Physics
Why your Eurobox warps under a ratchet strap — and why cardboard doesn't.
#3869: How a Bendy Stick Transmits Torque
The surprising engineering inside flexible screwdriver extensions and how they transmit torque around obstacles.
#3865: The Spudger Problem: Thin vs Strong
Why pry tools bend and what materials science says about the perfect spudger.
#2920: What Actually Kills an Older Manual Car
Brake fluid, timing belts, and coolant — the cheap things people skip that cost them an engine.
#2893: Why Your Rotary Shaver Struggles With Thick Hair
Rotary shavers struggle with thick, stiff hair due to a fundamental design mismatch. Here's what's actually happening.
#2715: Why Studebaker Owners Are Different
What drives thousands of people to obsess over a car brand that died in 1966? It's more than nostalgia.
#2554: Bluffer's Guide to Car Talk: Sound Like You Know Engines
Stop saying "it went clunk." Learn the phrases that make mechanics think you know what you're talking about.
#2553: The Hidden Elegance of the Zipper
A deep dive into the Y-shaped tunnel, the bump-and-hollow geometry, and the silent history of the zip.
#1899: Why Japan's Vending Machines Thrive While America's Struggle
From Roman holy water to Japan’s soup-dispensing giants, we explore why vending machines jam—and why America’s are stuck in the past.
#1468: Life Support at Four Kilometers Deep
Explore the extreme engineering and lethal conditions of Mponeng, the world’s deepest gold mine, where ice and AI keep workers alive.
#603: The Desk Height That Was Never Right
Is your desk hurting your neck? Herman and Corn break down the physics of height-adjustable desks and why your setup might need a major upgrade.