ShmoopTube

What's the deal with wind? And why does it have to be so...windy?

How did people move stuff around before the wheel was invented? More importantly, why didn't they take a break for a few minutes from moving stuff...

When you're counting the chunks of coal in your stocking on Christmas morning, do you ever wonder where it came from? No? Okay, look...it's this at...

Changes in transportation technologies have had a major effect on globalization throughout human history. It's time for a whirlwind tour, so...get...

What tools did prehistoric humans use to get things done? Yes, we're talking about even before Windows Vista.

When it comes to the history of human technology, it helps to look at the big picture. Especially if you have cataracts, and looking at the small p...

Here comes the sun, doo doo doo doo… Seriously, it gives us energy so we don’t die. We’re hoping it keeps on coming.

The improvement of aircraft during World War II permanently changed the nature of modern warfare. We do kind of wish we still painted cool sharks o...

Energy is pretty neat-o. It’s basically responsible for everything from the formation of the universe to the existence of cat videos.

Back in our day, we had to walk all the way across the continent uphill in the snow, both ways.

We wonder what the next period of human technological history will be… we’re hoping it will include cyborgs and teleportation.

Without energy, none of us would be alive today… and we’re not talking about the kind of energy you get from a can or a double shot of espresso.

Mmm, burning coal… smells like the slow, toasty-warm destruction of the environment.

Windmills: they're good for more than just tricky miniature golf holes.

Transportation technology has evolved faster than you can say, "transportation technology sure has evolved!" ...Okay, not literally, obviously you...

The Industrial Revolution was a monster. Seriously, we hear it's still terrorizing parts of Tokyo.

Waterwheels are crafty little thieves. Why? They stole a twenty out of our wallet once. Oh, and they also steal kinetic energy to do some useful th...

The internal combustion engine and Automobile Era were resonsible for numerous things, chief among them, the invention of the Chizza. Don't know wh...

We have a real steamy video for you today. It's all about the steam engine. Super steamy.

Horses and camels gave us so much, and what did we give them in return? A lousy gift card to Panera. Let's do more for them...starting with watching this video.

Early boats may have been leaky and impossible to steer, but they sure beat walking. Well...until they got caught in a surprise waterfall. No one likes a surprise waterfall.

Solar and wind energy are both great ideas...until the weather decides to go rogue and overthrow our entire government. ...It could happen. Sleep with one eye open.

Everyone throws around the word "globalization," but what does it really mean? Also, can they stop throwing it? It's hard to catch. Just throw a baseball like a normal person, weirdos.

Plenty of primitive technologies made walking easier for our ancestors. The yoke, the travois, shoes, Segways. One of those things might not be as primitive. You'll have to watch to find out.

Cobblestone roads are quaint, but essentially garbage. Join us for some other hard truths in this fun-filled video about road innovations.

Newcomen and Watt both built impressive engines, but at the end of the day, only one was victorious. The other one ended up listening to Adele and eating ice cream. Tough break.

Sure, roads are old, but to us, they don't look a day over two millenia.

What's the big deal with roads? Like, they all lead to Rome? Not everyone wants to go to Rome. You heard it here first: roads are overrated.

Animals were the muscle behind the wheeled vehicle revolution. They're also cute and so much better than people. What? That's a fact.

Today, we're digging a little deeper into the history of the plow. And yes, pun absolutely intended.

Heavy wheeled plows revolutionized agriculture, and they counted as an arm day workout. Win win.

Welcome to the most terrifying introduction you'll ever have: the introduction to weapons and warfare. 

Actually, scratch that. If you've ever been on a blind date, that's way scarier. Maybe we should weaponize awkward stranger interactions over coffee...

Here's a brief rundown of boat accomplishments: they don't succumb to pier pressure, they've seen The Codfather twelve times, they have an uncanny ability to seas the day...okay, fine, maybe these aren't exactly true, but boats have helped to accomplish a lot of cool things. Hit play to find out more. 

What do we want? Better lighting! When do we want it? Mow! ...Wait, that might say "now." See, this is why we need better lighting. 

"Back in Black," "T.N.T.," "Thunderstruck"...who can forget the timeless AC/DC classics? Wait, this video isn't about the band AC/DC? It's about alternating current and direct current? Well, that's not as fun. 

Did we domesticate animals, or did animals domesticate us? ...We domesticated them? Huh. Then why does our cat make us wear this collar?

This lesson is surprisingly not going to be about early human's addiction to Starbucks and Red Bull. Hit play to find out more about early humans and energy. 

We're going to spin you a little yarn, so sit back, relax, and hit play. Oh, and watch out for camel spit. ...You'll see.