Modern Marvels (1993)

Episode Overview

Teddy Roosevelt was known to carry a revolver, while on the fateful night of their deaths, Abraham Lincoln had a $5 Confederate note and nine newspaper clippings with him, and John Wilkes Booth possessed a candle along with photographs of five women, including his fiancée. These details often go unnoticed today, as we routinely stash away what we carried yesterday. But do we truly need all these items? In this hour, we’ll explore the contents of pockets across America—not the ubiquitous cell phones, but more personal belongings, both cherished and trivial. We’ll look at tools, from simple gadgets to advanced technology, and even food items. We’ll uncover the reasons behind unusual possessions, such as why a search and rescue firefighter keeps a hockey puck, and learn about the creation and use of personal escape systems.