How It Works

Welcome to How It Works, the magazine that explains everything you never knew you wanted to know about the world we live in. Loaded with fully illustrated guides and expert knowledge, and with sections dedicated to science, technology, transportation, space, history and the environment, no subject is too big or small for How It Works to explain.

WELCOME • Issue 221

Global eye

GLOBAL EYE • Showcasing the incredible world we live in

WISH LIST • The latest tech for STARGAZING

WHERE ARE THE ALIENS? • Have little green men visited Earth yet? Are they hiding nearby in the cosmos? We take a look at the technology that’s being used to try and track them down

HOW THE STOCK MARKET WORKS • From parchment to personal computers, how the Information Age has advanced global trading

WHAT IS THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL REFLECTING POOL? • This iconic symbol of American democracy has recently been subject to controversy

HOW ANCIENT ROMANS WENT TO THE TOILET • 2,000 years ago, a bathroom break meant sharing seats, sponges and conversation

COOL KITCHEN CHEMISTRY KIT • Master molecular gastronomy with these cutting-edge culinary tools

VIDEO GAME-CHANGERS • From teleportation to railguns, here’s how the incredible technology we see in video games works in the real world

HOW BULLETPROOF GLASS IS MADE • This accidental invention has become a vital feature of modern security structures

WHAT IF… OCEAN CURRENTS STOPPED? • Without the perpetual movement of water, the world would look very different

HOW TO HYDRATE PROPERLY • The human body is a water-powered machine. Discover the journey of every drop as it replenishes your organs

ARTIFICIAL FLAVOUR CHEMISTRY • How food manufacturers use chemicals to trick the brain into tasting familiar flavours

DO WE SEE THE SAME COLOURS? • Along the spectrum of visible light, there are millions of colours, and not everyone sees them the same way

INSIDE AN FIGHTER JET • Today’s artificial intelligence is sophisticated enough to pilot military fighter jets, providing wingman support alongside human-piloted aircraft

MOBILE ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT CARRIER • This six-wheeled electric vehicle houses an aircraft that it can deploy autonomously with onboard AI

BRAINDUMP • Amazing answers to your curious questions

THE LIBRARY • The latest book releases for curious minds

BRAIN GYM • Give your brain a puzzle workout

HOW TO… • Practical projects to try at home

INBOX • Speak your mind

How It Works

FAST FACTS • Amazing trivia that will blow your mind