Connections 2: Revolutions

James Burke explores the events and inventions that influenced the Industrial Revolution in Connections 2: Revolutions. He discusses James Watt and his improvement upon Newcomen's steam engine. As usual, Burke covers a lot of topics in his program, and they are all related, despite seeming otherwise. The problems of 18th century mines, water, pumps, matches, fertilizer, swords, steel, carborundum, DNA, and genetics are explored. The series combines history with science, and provides an overview of the cultural, economic, political, and cultural issues that have impacted the development of technology.