Has anyone watched "The Cars That Built The World" on History Channel?

[CarsAndGuitars]

It is a 4 episode (5 part, ~3-4 hours total) series I think that debuted last year. It begins with Karl Benz and his rival countrymen (Daimler, Maybach) along with their English counterparts Rolls, Royce, and Bentley. In the later chronologically-based episodes, we are introduced to the likes of the Porsche family lineage, as well as Honda and the Toyodas.

It is a docudrama of their innovations and engineering genius against a very interesting backdrop of world history and racing.

It can be a little melodramatic at times and some of the "aha!" moments are a bit oversimplified and cliché. But I really found it fun to watch and sometimes amazing to see how major milestones in automotive history intertwined with the events of the 20th century and learning about the people behind them.

There is also "The Cars That Made America", which focuses on the history and backstories of The Big Three and their leadership over time (Chrysler, Dodge Bros, Ford, Iacocca, Delorean etc). It also is a great series but I think a notch below "World". It focuses more on the business of automobiles, establishment of the corporate powerbase, its struggle with unions and the rivalries between them.

If you've seen, what did you think?

If not and are interested in automotive history, I would highly recommend it.

[CarsAndGuitars]

.. I guess not.

[Maynard]

You're not alone. I've seen at least one, and DVR'ing it for when we feel like watching. Several of these recently (____ that built America) - I got a kick out of the fast-food one and learning that both Pizza Hut and Dominoes were started by people who had virtually NO understanding of a pizza, just trying to cash in on a new idea they had heard of. Somehow that makes it a little easier to take.

[CarsAndGuitars]

Originally Posted by Maynard

You're not alone. I've seen at least one, and DVR'ing it for when we feel like watching. Several of these recently (____ that built America) - I got a kick out of the fast-food one and learning that both Pizza Hut and Dominoes were started by people who had virtually NO understanding of a pizza, just trying to cash in on a new idea they had heard of. Somehow that makes it a little easier to take.

Yes the Food series (and Toys) follows the same model and is also very entertaining and informative. I also am looking forward to the upcoming new Toys season.

They are all good, not too deep, not too superficial and always with enough tension to keep you watching.

[kevin @ eas]

Originally Posted by CarsAndGuitars

Yes the Food series (and Toys) follows the same model and is also very entertaining and informative. I also am looking forward to the upcoming new Toys season.

They are all good, not too deep, not too superficial and always with enough tension to keep you watching.

Watched all of the car series, thought the series was great. The Harley Davidson series I also enjoyed too.

The Food shows are good also enjoyed the Titans that built the world.

[Battin4th]

Yeah I have watched many of them. All really good and informative. The Men Who Built America (I think it was called), JP Morgan, Henry Ford, Carnegie, DuPont, Rockefeller, Vanderbilt... was excellent overall. The power these men had, the things they did, including saving America.

[ShopVac]

Loved the cars version for sure.

Only thing that kills me is with all the different versions if "_____ who built America", they use different actors for the same person. What - you couldn't pay the Henry Ford guy for all the other series? Cheap bastards....

[kevin @ eas]

Originally Posted by Battin4th

Yeah I have watched many of them. All really good and informative. The Men Who Built America (I think it was called), JP Morgan, Henry Ford, Carnegie, DuPont, Rockefeller, Vanderbilt... was excellent overall. The power these men had, the things they did, including saving America.

I couldn't remember the name of that one. Watched all of them, definitely a good show.