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 214
Global eye
GLOBAL EYE • Showcasing the incredible world we live in
WISH LIST • HEALTH AND FITNESS
RETURN TO THE MOON • Project Artemis is accelerating its push to put humans back on Earth’s orbital dancing partner before the end of the decade
APOLLO 17: THE LAST CREWED MOON LANDING • It’s been over 50 years since the final Apollo mission, so why haven’t we put astronauts on the Moon since then? NASA’s chief historian explains
HOW TO PREDICT METEOR SHOWERS • Although meteor showers look chaotic and random, we can predict their arrival by charting when our planet’s orbit crosses with that of a disintegrating comet
MICRO PREDATORS • Meet the microscopic life forms that terrorise their equally tiny prey
WHISKERS AT WORK • How long hairs on a cat’s face fine-tune their senses
WHAT ARE MANGROVES? • These plants on stilts have a unique structure that allows them to grow and live in shallow, brackish water
WHY ANIMALS PLAY DEAD • These species have mastered faking their own deaths for several different reasons
THE MASSIVE MICROWAVE OVEN AND OTHER HOME APPLIANCE FIRSTS • Discover the prototypes of everything from the microwave to the electric toothbrush – and why some were unreliable, weird or downright dangerous
INSIDE THE WORLD’S FIRST COMBAT TANK • Take a ride in the British Mark I, the tank that broke the stalemate of trench warfare, but often killed its occupants in the process
HOW AI IMPROVES CAR SAFETY • The vehicle technology that saves lives today – and the innovations that will soon make the roads safer for everyone
HEALING POWER OF ELECTRICITY • Forget pills – in the future, many ailments will be cured by speaking the body’s electrical language
How to GROW YOUNGER • Every cell in your body falls victim to time, but is there a way to reverse ageing?
WHAT IS LIMESCALE? • Why ‘hard’ water leaves chalky, flaky deposits wherever it settles
SMART MOTORCYCLE HELMETS • How these protective shells have evolved into high-tech headgear
HOW TO STOP SUBSEA CABLE SABOTAGE • Underwater cables are listening for approaching saboteurs, ready to alert the authorities
WHAT’S INSIDE… A STEAM MACHINE? • This alternative games console brought PC-quality gaming to your lounge
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