Curiosity Stream
Sign In

Man's Great Achievements

13 episodes 88%4KCC

From Stonehenge to the web, the ideas that reshaped civilization.

This series explores defining breakthroughs across medicine, natural sciences, engineering, technology, architecture, and communications. Using landmark stories like ancient monuments, the printing press, the telephone, automobiles, and the World Wide Web, it reveals how human ingenuity transformed daily life. Sign up to connect these milestones and see progress as one unfolding story.

Episode guide

13 episodes
1
1Stonehenge
Since the beginning, man has been interested in the science and art of design and construction. In this episode, we'll explore two of the many incredible structures we have created: Stonehenge in southern England and the Pyramids of Giza.
24 min
2
2The Colosseum
Completed in 80 A.D., the Roman Colosseum is a masterpiece. Designed to host huge spectacles, the Colosseum is an enduring example of man's capability to build architectural treasures on a grand scale.
24 min
3
3Renaissance
This episode examines the masterful sculptures, monuments and landmarks of the Renaissance.
24 min
4
4Literature
This episode delves into the history of literature.
24 min
5
5Where Music Originated
This episode introduces some of our preeminent composers, including: Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Mozart.
24 min
6
6Trains
This episode explores the historical background of trains.
24 min
7
7Automobiles
This episode explores the history of automobiles.
24 min
8
8Aviation
The history of aviation reaches back more than two thousand years—from the earliest forms, such as kite flying in China and attempts at tower jumping, to supersonic and hypersonic flight by powered, heavier-than-air jets.
24 min
9
9Medicine
This episode examines the history of medicine and how we solve health problems.
24 min
10
10Communication
This episode investigates the history of communication.
24 min
11
11Space
The Space Race was a 20th-century competition between two Cold War adversaries: the Soviet Union and the United States. This battle for spaceflight capability began with the ballistic missile-based nuclear arms race that followed World War II.
24 min
12
12Electricity
This episode examines the history of electricity.
24 min
13
13Technology
This episode delves into the history of technology and its continual advances.
24 min
Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Thousands of the world's best documentaries and factual programming — nature, history, science, technology, and biography — including exclusive Curiosity Originals like Man's Great Achievements. Stream it all ad-free, anytime.

Plans are billed annually — every plan streams in 4K. The Smart Bundle adds four partner services. There are no contracts — cancel anytime.

Watch on the web, iOS and Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Android TV, and most smart TVs. Start on one device and pick up right where you left off on another.

Yes. The library is full of family-friendly nature and science programming, and the Smart Bundle includes Kidstream — carefully chosen, ad-free shows kids will love and parents can trust.

Absolutely. There are no contracts and no cancellation fees — manage or cancel your plan anytime from your account settings.

Curiosity Stream is our streaming service — thousands of documentaries and originals. The Smart Bundle is Curiosity Stream plus four other independent streaming services (Tastemade, Kidstream, Curiosity University, and SOMM TV) on a single subscription.

Yes. Start on any plan and move up to the Smart Bundle whenever you like — the change takes effect right away, and your billing is simply prorated from your account settings.

Got your answer? Pick a plan and start streaming.Start streaming
Available now

Start watching Man's Great Achievements today

Stream thousands of award-winning documentaries. Cancel anytime.

Start streaming