James May's 20th Century (2007)

Episode Overview

Every day, 180,000 newcomers flock to cities around the globe. In Big City, Bright Lights, James embarks on an exploration of our vibrant, around-the-clock urban lifestyle. His journey takes him to New York, where he climbs to the upper reaches of the historic Woolworth Building, which is undergoing renovations. To test its strength, he decides to drop a 1982 Mini 1000 onto a piece of skyscraper glass. At the dawn of the 20th century, the country lacked a unified electrical system, with 22 different plug types in use until Geordie engineer Charles Merz proposed a revolutionary idea: "One nation. One voltage. One plug." James is particularly curious about a specific type of light born in the 20th century. "There’s a light that draws in those seeking excitement… This glow calls out to the night! You won’t find neon signs on a church or a library; instead, it hints at late-night escap