skip to main content

Greatest Human Achievements: The Elements

14 minutes 50 seconds

Videos are generally available for preview to non-members as short clips. Limited full-length titles are also available. Log In to view the full length title.

Browse Full-length Non-member Titles
Glass beaker with a hand holding a clear rod to the bottom of the beaker. A bright light emanates from the bottom of the beaker. Caption: and moved into the modern age of chemistry.

Beginning with Alchemy's attempt to find the recipe for gold, scientists have strived to unearth the basic building blocks of our world. These building blocks became smaller and smaller as scientists including Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein studied the world. From elements, to the atom, to subatomic particles, the study of our natural world has led to inventions both deadly and fantastic, including X-Rays, MRIs, calculus, and the atomic bomb.

Media Details

Runtime: 14 minutes 50 seconds

Round transparent object magnifying a section of a cityscape. Caption: could make distant objects appear closer.
Greatest Human Achievements
Episode 1
24 minutes 42 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Glass beaker with a hand holding a clear rod to the bottom of the beaker. A bright light emanates from the bottom of the beaker. Caption: and moved into the modern age of chemistry.
Greatest Human Achievements
Episode 2
14 minutes 50 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Microscopic close up of cells. Cell walls and internal organ structure visible. Caption: It was clear that the nucleus was the critical element
Greatest Human Achievements
Episode 3
14 minutes 30 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Person in a loin cloth chiseling a large block of light-colored stone. The block has hashmarks representing "5". Caption: All cut by hand with hammers and chisels.
Greatest Human Achievements
Episode 4
23 minutes 23 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Industrial docks with stacks of shipping containers, cranes, and boats. Caption: We've tackled the sea as well, changing coastlines
Greatest Human Achievements
Episode 5
29 minutes 57 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Bookshelf filled with old books. Caption: was the start of our journey towards mass communication,
Greatest Human Achievements
Episode 6
16 minutes 14 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12
An old car from the 1920's driving next to contemporary cars. Caption: The very first cars were powered by electricity.
Greatest Human Achievements
Episode 7
14 minutes 5 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12
A large jetliner flies above and very close to a smaller, angular space craft. Caption: There's no sign of a halt to the speed of progress.
Greatest Human Achievements
Episode 8
7 minutes 26 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Black and white close up photo of a man's face. Caption: had become fascinated by the potential of radio waves.
Greatest Human Achievements
Episode 9
16 minutes 48 seconds
Grade Level: 9 - 12