Building Big S01E02 · Domes

Overview

How does a dome support itself? Ever since the Roman Emperor Hadrian topped his Pantheon with a dome, this roof-with-class has been the prestige building form. Big domes cover civilization's most revered structures, from great cathedrals to mosques to houses of government. Host David Macaulay uncovers the tricky technology of domes, from the Pantheon to the geodesic marvels of Buckminster Fuller and beyond.

Torrents

Subtitles

Episodes

1. 1 1. Bridges2000-10-03How does a bridge withstand the forces of nature and traffic? Host David Macaulay takes viewers from the stone arch bridges of the Roman Empire to Japan's giant, all-steel Akashi K
2. 2 2. Domes2000-10-10How does a dome support itself? Ever since the Roman Emperor Hadrian topped his Pantheon with a dome, this roof-with-class has been the prestige building form. Big domes cover civi
3. 3 3. Skyscrapers2000-10-17What does it take to erect a skyscraper 100 stories tall? From the medieval towers of Italy's San Gimignano to today's race to build the world's tallest skyscraper, host David Maca
4. 4 4. Dams2000-10-24How does a dam resist the crush of millions of gallons of water? Host David Macaulay surveys the dam -- the biggest, costliest structure of all -- from Hoover's concrete arch confr
5. 5 5. Tunnels2000-10-31What keeps a tunnel from collapsing? Tunnels have advanced from dangerous, claustrophobic passages to spacious, safe subterranean networks as roomy as shopping malls. Host David Ma