How We Got to Now
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Status:
Ended -
Season 1:
Ended on November 12, 2014 -
Watched: 0%
0 of 6 Episodes
I'm caught up!
Season: 1
| # | Air Date | Episode Name | Watched? |
|---|---|---|---|
| E1 | Oct 15, 2014 | ||
| E2 | Oct 15, 2014 | ||
| E3 | Oct 22, 2014 | ||
| E4 | Oct 29, 2014 | ||
| E5 | Nov 05, 2014 | ||
| E6 | Nov 12, 2014 |
Production Note - Limited Series
Production Type:
Documentary MiniseriesHow We Got to Now is a standalone Documentary Miniseries that concluded its 6-episode run in November 2014. Adapted from Steven Johnson’s non-fiction bestseller, this high-concept production explores the unintended consequences of human innovation. By tracing the history of six essential technologies—clean, time, glass, light, cold, and sound—the series offers a definitive narrative of modern civilization. Its prestige is cemented by its cinematic visual style and intellectual rigor, which earned the production a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Motion Design. As a finite exploration of its subject matter, the series remains a complete historical document, eschewing the need for subsequent seasons in favor of a singular, comprehensive educational journey that meticulously connects the past to the present day.
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Why Watch:
"A deep dive into the 'long zoom' theory of history and the unexpected connections between mundane objects and global revolutions."Series Analysis:
Hosted by Steven Johnson, How We Got to Now remains a landmark achievement in public broadcasting. It dismantled the myth of the lone genius, instead highlighting the interconnected web of innovation that defines modern life. By focusing on six fundamental pillars: Clean, Time, Glass, Light, Cold, and Sound. The series revealed how accidental breakthroughs transformed human society. Its cultural footprint persists in the way educators and historians discuss the 'long zoom' effect, where a single improvement in glassmaking eventually birthed the internet. The program's sleek visual style and intellectual rigor set a high bar for the documentary genre. Its lessons on the adjacent possible remain vital today for understanding our future. Set a reminder on your calendar for any potential successors, spin-offs, or anniversary specials.Tone: Analytical, educational, and historically appreciative Last Updated: March 2026
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Network:
PBS -
Seasons:
1 -
Years:
2014 - 2014 -
Genre:
Documentary, History