Examining the advances in engineering that made some of the world's most iconic structures possible

Big, Bigger, Biggest is back - and it's bigger than ever. Six episodes revealing the key inventions that allowed structures to evolve from simple and small into complex and BIG. Each episode opens showcasing the largest example of its kind and asks the question, how did it grow so big? Then a whirlwind tour of CGI, demonstrations and actuality delivers the answer. Superstructures grow, evolve, bend, twist, move and collapse to reveal their secret workings - buckle up and prepare to be amazed! EPISODE 1 - CANAL With 200 million tons of cargo passing along its length every year the Panama Canal is already the biggest canal in the Americas. Now a new 5 billion dollar expansion project is set to double its capacity, giving a new lease of life to this vital transport artery. Its construction relies on a series of great leaps in technology. In this episode we explore the key historic canals that made each engineering breakthrough. Using stunning CGI animation, we reveal the incredible stories behind Frances Briare Canal, the UKs Bridgewater and Manchester Ship Canals and the record-breaking Panama Canal. We focus on the innovations that allowed them to grow in size. Four ingenious leaps forward that enabled canals to evolve from BIG to BIGGER into the worlds BIGGEST. EPISODE 2 ICEBREAKER Weighing in at over 93 thousand tonnes, the Timofey Guzhenko is by far the biggest icebreaking ship to operate in the Arctic Ocean. It can smash through solid ice a metre and a half thick and pulverise blocks of ice the size of a car with its huge propellers. This episode explores how this icebreaking ship was made possible through a series of four historic engineering breakthroughs. The film explores the inner workings of four landmark icebreakers, including the worlds first icebreaker, the German Eisbrecher 1 and the powerful nuclear powered Soviet icebreaker, the Lenin. Each features a major technological innovation that allowed engineers to build bigger and bigger icebreakers. The film explores the development of icebreaking bows, unique protection systems to keep ice away from the hull and powerful propulsion technology. Using stunning CGI animation, this film reveals the incredible stories behind these machines and the inventions that have enabled them to grow in size. Four ingenious leaps forward that enabled icebreakers to evolve from BIG to BIGGER into the Arctic Oceans BIGGEST. EPISODE 3 - METRO The 402 kilometres long London Underground is the biggest metro system in the world. Its currently undergoing a 26 billion dollar expansion project, building 30 new stations and drilling kilometres of new tunnels. This film explores how this metro system was made possible through a series of four historic engineering breakthroughs. The film explores the inner workings of four landmark metro systems, including the Paris Metro and New York City Subway. Each features a major technological innovation that allowed engineers to build bigger and bigger metro systems. The film explores the development of ground breaking tunnelling techniques, the perfection of propulsion and the construction of huge subterranean stations. Using stunning CGI animation, this film reveals the incredible stories behind these metro systems and the innovations that have enabled them to grow in size. Four ingenious leaps forward that enabled metro systems to evolve from BIG to BIGGER into the Western worlds BIGGEST. EPISODE 4 - PRISON Holding over 1400 of Americas most dangerous prisoners, the North Branch Correctional Institution is one of the most secure prisons in the world. Over two thirds of the men at the prison have killed and most dream of escape. They are locked up in cells able to withstand bomb blasts and the prison is brimming with technology designed to keep them safe from each other. This film explores how the prison was made possible through a series of four historic engineering breakthroughs. The film explores the inner workings of four landmark prisons, in