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 215

Global eye

GLOBAL EYE • Showcasing the incredible world we live in

WISH LIST • ENERGY-SAVING TECH

How we learn • Every day is a lesson for everyone, though your brain will process and store your experiences differently to anyone else

THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS • How and why do our brains manufacture the feeling of joy?

HOW TO MAKE A DIAMOND • From seed to stone, how laboratories mimic the conditions of Earth’s mantle to create precious gemstones

HOW GLIDERS FLY • These engineless aircraft are simple in concept, but have a carefully crafted design

THE DARK AGE OF THE UNIVERSE • Astronomers are trying to write a critical missing chapter in the history of the cosmos. But how do you shine a light on a time that’s drenched in darkness?

TEN COSMIC TEMPERATURE EXTREMES • You may think that Antarctica is cold and Death Valley is hot, but the depths of the universe contain far greater extremes

INSIDE AN AI DATA CENTRE • As the computational brains behind artificial intelligence, these vast structures can use up as much power as a small town

HOW BUNKER BUSTER BOMBS WORK • These hardened explosives easily punch through earth and concrete to target underground bunkers

FLYING ENERGY FARMS • Is it a bird, is it a plane… no, it’s a giant flying wind turbine

WHAT’S INSIDE… A RASPBERRY PI ZERO? • The mini computer that costs mere pocket change

TEN PLANTS THAT LOOK EERILY FAMILIAR • From dancing girls to puckered-up plants, discover the fascinating and freaky flora that take the shape of other objects

THE ART OF BONSAI • How this ancient tradition of tree sculpting has garnered forests of miniature trees

WHAT IS A FALSE SUNRISE? • Before the real Sun emerges, a fake one may steal the spotlight

10 MYSTERIOUS ARTEFACTS • Objects made by our ancestors can offer incredible insight into past lives, but sometimes they leave us with more questions than answers

INSIDE THE WORLD’S FIRST ZOO • The way the ancient Egyptians treated their animal exhibits was a far cry from today’s zoos

WHAT IS THE DOOMSDAY CLOCK? • How we reached 85 seconds to the world’s end

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