Impossible Engineering
A Science Original
Impossible Engineering pulls you into the workshop and the drawing board to show how some of the era's most astonishing feats came to life. Each episode breaks down the key decisions behind a giant structure, a record beating building, a warship or a spacecraft, explaining how design choices,... Read more
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Streaming availability last verified: January 14, 2026
About Impossible Engineering
Impossible Engineering pulls you into the workshop and the drawing board to show how some of the era's most astonishing feats came to life. Each episode breaks down the key decisions behind a giant structure, a record beating building, a warship or a spacecraft, explaining how design choices, construction methods and testing regimes translated ambition into function. The show also travels back in time to spotlight the engineers whose ideas turned plausible plans into real world outcomes. It foregrounds the long lead in from concept to prototype, the trial and error that followed, and the way new techniques gradually became standard practice. The narration keeps jargon light and connects innovations to their practical effects so non specialists can follow along.
Produced as a 2015 documentary series, Impossible Engineering is anchored by Mike Bratton as narrator with Susie Sheehy among the on screen talent. The program uses historical case studies alongside modern examples to show how engineering legends shaped today's infrastructure.
By linking the ingenuity of 19th century builders with the skyscrapers, ships, and spacecraft of today, the show reinforces how progress is built on shared knowledge and persistent experimentation. It foregrounds the human side of engineering, celebrating problem solvers, collaboration, and the stubborn curiosity that drives big projects.
Receivers of this show tend to respond to its straight forward storytelling and its focus on the trailblazers who pushed materials and technique. The series treats success as the result of trial and error, teamwork, and precise application of science to real world challenges today.
Awards: The show does not appear to have major nominations or wins in widely known awards listings, suggesting its strength lies in accessible explanation rather than industry recognition. It has earned appreciation from curious viewers who enjoy learning how engineering ideas become real world inventions.
Details
- Release Date
- April 13, 2015
- Episode Length
- 42m
- Rating
- TV-PG
- User Ratings
- 16 votes
- Type
- TV Series
- Seasons
- 10
- Episodes
- 82
- Network
- Science
- Status
- Ended
- Genres
- Documentary
- Country
- United States
- Studio
- Twofour +1 more
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Cast
Mike Bratton
Narrator
Susie Sheehy
Seasons (10 seasons, 82 episodes)
Season 1
6 episodes - 2015
Season 2
8 episodes - 2016
Season 3
12 episodes - 2017
Season 4: Extreme Railroads
6 episodes - 2018
Season 5
10 episodes - 2019
Season 6: Extreme Railroads
6 episodes - 2019
Season 7
16 episodes - 2020
Season 8
4 episodes - 2020
Season 9
4 episodes - 2020
Season 10
10 episodes - 2021