Episodes
1. Nature Knows Best
November 3, 2010
30 min
A light-hearted and humorous look at real-life inventors, contraptions and gadgets with the much-loved duo, beginning with inventions inspired by nature. Wallace and Gromit learn about flying penguins, German robots, and Dutch sculptor Theo Jansen. Plus, Jem Stansfield meets a man who has created gills that could allow humans to breathe under water. Narrated by Ashley Jensen.
2. Reach For The Sky
November 10, 2010
30 min
Wallace and Gromit explore the mysteries behind man's fascination with flight, from 'homemade' space rockets in Manchester to jetpacks in the UK. There is also a look at some planes that unfortunately don't fly in another Contraption Countdown.
Guest Stars:
Barack Obama
3. Home Sweet Home
November 17, 2010
30 min
The duo examine the world of domestic novelties, including a makeshift mill constructed by a young inventor from Malawi. There is a visit to inventor Trevor Baylis, a look at a collection of vintage tea-makers, former engineer and code breaker Tony Sale revives George the Robot, and science reporter Jem Stansfield meets an A-level student with a home-made fridge built out of scrap metal originally designed by Einstein.
4. Come to Your Senses
November 24, 2010
30 min
Wallace and Gromit experience the world through the five senses, exploring the fact and fiction behind invisibility cloaks, bomb-detecting bees and the top sensory inventions.
5. Better Safe Than Sorry
December 1, 2010
30 min
Wallace and Gromit have always taken their safety into their own hands, and in this episode of the science series they consider other inventors with the same philosophy. They tell the tale of 1940s Hollywood starlet Hedy Lamarr, who had a side-line in inventing, and who devised a radio-controlled 'secret-communication' system for steering torpedoes to help allied forces in the war, the technology of which is featured in all modern bluetooth systems.
6. From A To B
December 8, 2010
30 min
In this episode of the science series, Wallace and Gromit explore incredible transportation inventions from around the globe. In the 'Contraption Countdown' the focus is on peculiar transport devices, and the duo find out how to cross the River Thames in a plastic bag. They discover the intention behind laser propulsion in the creation of flying saucer technology, and meet Cedric Lynch, an illustrious engineer who invented electric tricycles.