Big, Bigger, Biggest

{{Infobox television

| image = Big, Bigger, Biggest logo.png

| alt = Big, Bigger, Biggest logo

| caption =

| genre = Documentary

| creator = Carlo Massarella

| developer =

| writer =

| director =

| creative_director =

| voices =

| narrated = John Michie

| theme_music_composer = Alasdair Reid
Rohan Stevenson

| opentheme =

| endtheme =

| composer =

| country = United Kingdom

| language = English

| num_series = 3

| num_episodes = 20

| list_episodes =

| executive_producer = Ian Duncan (Series 1 & 2)[http://www.windfallfilms.com/show/1055/Big-Bigger-Biggest-Series-2.aspx Big Bigger Biggest - Series 2 - Windfall Films]

Carlo Massarella (Series 3)[http://www.windfallfilms.com/show/1930/Big-Bigger-Biggest-Series-3.aspx Big Bigger Biggest - Series 3 - Windfall Films]

| producer =

| editor =

| location =

| cinematography =

| camera =

| runtime = 45–50 minutes

1 hour (inc. commercials)

| company = Windfall Films

SBS
Kompas TV

| channel = Five{{Cite news| pages = 6| title = Five reveals secrets of T5 in superstructure series.| work = Broadcast| access-date = 2020-02-26| date = 2008-02-22| url = http://global.factiva.com/redir/default.aspx?P=sa&an=BCST000020080222e42m0000i&cat=a&ep=ASE}}
National Geographic Channel

| first_aired = {{Start date|2008|04|01|df=yes}}

| last_aired = {{End date|2011|08|02|df=yes}}

| related = Monster Moves

}}

Big, Bigger, Biggest is a British documentary television series which began airing in 2008. A total of 20 episodes have been produced across three series.{{cite web|title="Big, Bigger, Biggest" (2008) - Episode list|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1224381/episodes|publisher=Internet Movie Database|access-date=6 February 2011}}

Format

Each episode explores the engineering breakthroughs that have made it possible to develop the largest structures of today. Episodes describe the landmark inventions that have enabled the engineers of today to construct the world's biggest structures, including computer generated imagery. The imagery shows the size of the object in meters, the various designs that were considered, and what might have happened if the engineers had made a mistake, complete with animated figures running in panic.

It is also available on DVD:{{Cite web |url=http://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/14304/big-bigger-biggest |title=Madman Entertainment |access-date=22 May 2011 |archive-date=2 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602103912/http://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/14304/big-bigger-biggest |url-status=dead }}

Series 1 – 208 minutes - 1 DVD - PAL 16:9 Widescreen
Series 2 – 520 minutes{{Cite web |url=http://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/14436/big-bigger-biggest-series-2 |title=Big, Bigger, Biggest - Series 2 - DVD - Madman Entertainment |access-date=22 November 2011 |archive-date=28 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728235339/http://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/14436/big-bigger-biggest-series-2 |url-status=dead }} - 3 DVDs - PAL
Series 3 – 270 minutes - 2 DVDs - PAL 16:9 Widescreen[http://www.sbs.com.au/shop/product/category/DVDs/8595/Big-Bigger-Biggest-Series-3 SBS TV | SBS Radio | SBS On Demand, news, sport, food, movies]

Episodes

{{Series overview

|country=U.S. and E.U.

|color1=4C5A6C

|episodes1=4

|start1={{Start date|2008|04|01|df=yes}}

|end1={{End date|2008|10|28|df=yes}}

|color2=4C5A6C

|episodes2=10

|start2={{Start date|2009|07|28|df=yes}}

|end2={{End date|2009|09|29|df=yes}}

|color3=4C5A6C

|episodes3=6

|start3={{Start date|2011|07|05|df=yes}}

|end3={{End date|2011|08|09|df=yes}}

}}

=Series 1 (2008)=

{{Episode table |background=4C5A6C |overall= |title= |airdate= |airdateT=Original (Five) air date |altdate= |altdateT=Alt air date |aux4= |aux4T=SBS air date |episodes=

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber=1

| Title=Skyscraper

| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2008|04|01|df=yes}}

| AltDate=1 April 2008

| Aux4=27 November 2010{{cite web|title=SBS Schedule|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/schedule/SBSONE/2010-11-27/SBS%20Brisbane|publisher=SBS|access-date=6 February 2011|date=27 November 2010}}

| ShortSummary=This episode looks at the history of skyscraper breakthroughs, culminating in the construction of the {{Convert|828|m|ft|adj=on}} tall Burj Dubai (now Burj Khalifa). The other buildings discussed are the Equitable Life Building, the Flatiron Building, the United Nations Headquarters, the original World Trade Center towers, the Sears Tower and Taipei 101.

| LineColor=4C5A6C

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber=2

| Title=Aircraft Carrier

| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2008|04|15|df=yes}}{{Cite news| pages = –49| last = Chater| first = David| title = TV Choice;Main Channels;Tuesday 15;Television;TV & Radio| work = The Times| access-date = 2020-02-26| date = 2008-04-12| url = https://www.thetimes.com/article/big-bigger-biggest-waking-the-dead-age-of-terror-shameless-6xf73pr9332}}

| AltDate=15 April 2008

| Aux4=20 November 2010{{cite web|title=SBS Schedule|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/schedule/SBSONE/2010-11-20/SBS%20Brisbane|publisher=SBS|access-date=6 February 2011|date=20 November 2010}}

| ShortSummary=One of the largest warships in the world, {{USS|Nimitz|CVN-68}}, would not have been possible if it weren't for seven landmark inventions. The other aircraft carriers discussed were USS North Carolina, HMS Ark Royal, USS Hornet, USS Midway, USS Forrestal and USS Enterprise.

| LineColor=4C5A6C

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber=3

| Title=Bridge

| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2008|04|08|df=yes}}{{Cite news| pages = –49| last = Chater| first = David| title = TV Choice;Tuesday 8 Main channels;Television;TV & Radio| work = The Times| access-date = 2020-02-26| date = 2008-04-05| url = https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/champions-league-how-to-look-good-naked-massacre-at-virginia-tech-89tnsw9kt8g}}

| AltDate=17 April 2008{{Cite news| edition = Late Edition - Final| pages = 10| last = SHATTUCK| first = KATHRYN| title = WHAT'S ON TONIGHT| work = The New York Times| access-date = 2020-02-26| date = 2008-04-17| url = https://archive.nytimes.com/query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage-9C04E3D91E30F934A25757C0A96E9C8B63.html}}

| Aux4=6 November 2010{{cite web|title=SBS Schedule|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/schedule/SBSONE/2010-11-06/SBS%20Brisbane|publisher=SBS|access-date=6 February 2011|date=6 November 2010}}

| ShortSummary=This episode reveals how several suspension bridge breakthroughs (The Iron Bridge, Menai Bridge, Niagara Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge and Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge) made it possible to construct the {{Convert|2|mi|km|adj=on}} long Akashi Kaikyō Bridge.

| LineColor=4C5A6C

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber=4

| Title=Airport

| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2008|03|25|df=yes}}{{Cite news| pages = 21| last = Pratt| first = Steve| title = Plane sailing?| work = The Northern Echo| access-date = 2020-02-26| date = 2008-03-25|url = https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/opinion/latest/2143408.plane-sailing/}}

| AltDate=28 October 2008

| Aux4=13 November 2010{{cite web|title=SBS Schedule|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/schedule/SBSONE/2010-11-13/SBS%20Brisbane|publisher=SBS|access-date=6 February 2011|date=13 November 2010}}

| ShortSummary=Heathrow Airport is the busiest international airport in the world. This episode follows the construction of Terminal 5, an additional terminal to cater for an additional 30 million passengers, and contributions of its forerunners - Croydon, Gatwick, Chicago O'Hare, Dallas Love Field, Atlanta International (actually the busiest international airport in the world) and Los Angeles International.

| LineColor=4C5A6C

}}

=Series 2 (2009)=

{{Episode table |background=4C5A6C |overall= |title= |airdate= |altdate= |altdateT=SBS air date |episodes=

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber=1

| Title=Tunnel

| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2009|07|28|df=yes}}

| AltDate=15 January 2011{{cite web|title=SBS Schedule|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/schedule/SBSONE/2011-01-15/SBS%20Brisbane|publisher=SBS|access-date=6 February 2011|date=15 January 2011}}

| ShortSummary=The world's longest tunnel at {{Convert|57|km|mi}} in length is the Gotthard Base Tunnel in the Swiss Alps. The episode lists Thames Tunnel, Box Tunnel, Mersey Railway Tunnel, Simplon Tunnel and Channel Tunnel as its predecessors.

| LineColor=4C5A6C

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber=2

| Title=Submarine

| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2009|08|04|df=yes}}

| AltDate=4 December 2010{{cite web|title=SBS Schedule|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/schedule/SBSONE/2010-12-04/SBS%20Brisbane|publisher=SBS|access-date=6 February 2011|date=4 December 2010}}

| ShortSummary=The biggest submarine in the U.S. Navy is the {{USS|Pennsylvania|SSBN-735}} at {{Convert|171|m|ft}} in length. Her predecessors explored in the episode are Turtle, H. L. Hunley, U-66, {{USS|Nautilus|SSN-571}} and {{USS|George Washington|SSBN-598}}.

| LineColor=4C5A6C

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber=3

| Title=Aircraft

| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2009|08|11|df=yes}}

| AltDate=29 January 2011{{cite web|title=SBS Schedule|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/schedule/SBSONE/2011-01-29/SBS%20Brisbane|publisher=SBS|access-date=6 February 2011|date=29 January 2011}}

| ShortSummary=The Antonov An-124 is one of the largest aircraft in the world with the ability to carry 50 family-sized cars. The episode also discusses Sikorsky Ilya Muromets, Junkers G.38, Boeing Clipper, Messerschmitt Gigant and Lockheed C-5 Galaxy.

| LineColor=4C5A6C

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber=4

| Title=Oil Rig

| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2009|08|18|df=yes}}

| AltDate=5 February 2011{{cite web|title=SBS Schedule|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/schedule/SBSONE/2011-02-05/SBS%20Brisbane|publisher=SBS|access-date=6 February 2011|date=5 February 2011}}

| ShortSummary=The Perdido oil platform is located in an area of water that is {{Convert|2|km|mi}} deep. From first offshore drilling at Grand Lake through Grand Isle platform and Beryl Alpha platform to Cognac platform and Auger, the episode follows the evolution of oil-drilling platforms.

| LineColor=4C5A6C

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber=5

| Title=Ferris Wheel

| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2009|08|25|df=yes}}

| AltDate=19 February 2011{{cite web|title=SBS Schedule|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/schedule/SBSONE/2011-02-19/SBS%20Brisbane|publisher=SBS|access-date=6 February 2011|date=19 February 2011}}

| ShortSummary=The tallest Ferris wheel in the world was the Singapore Flyer (at the time of this airing), standing {{Convert|165|m|ft}} high. From the original Ferris Wheel, followed by Earls Court Gigantic, London Eye and Star of Nanchang, the episode explores technical breakthroughs related to growth of Ferris wheels.

| LineColor=4C5A6C

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber=6

| Title=Space Station

| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2009|09|01|df=yes}}

| AltDate=18 December 2010{{cite web|title=SBS Schedule|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/schedule/SBSONE/2010-12-18/SBS%20Brisbane|publisher=SBS|access-date=6 February 2011|date=18 December 2010}}

| ShortSummary=This episode reveals the technological inventions – Salyut 1, Skylab, Apollo–Soyuz, Mir – that made the construction of the International Space Station possible.

| LineColor=4C5A6C

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber=7

| Title=Dam

| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2009|09|08|df=yes}}

| AltDate=11 December 2010{{cite web|title=SBS Schedule|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/schedule/SBSONE/2010-12-11/SBS%20Brisbane|publisher=SBS|access-date=6 February 2011|date=11 December 2010}}

| ShortSummary=The world's first hydroelectric power station, Debdon Dam, followed by Marèges Dam, Hoover Dam, Grand Coulee Dam and Krasnoyarsk Dam, led to construction of the largest hydroelectric dam – the Three Gorges Dam in China.

| LineColor=4C5A6C

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber=8

| Title=Cruise Liner

| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2009|09|15|df=yes}}

| AltDate=8 January 2011{{cite web|title=SBS Schedule|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/schedule/SBSONE/2011-01-08/SBS%20Brisbane|publisher=SBS|access-date=6 February 2011|date=8 January 2011}}

| ShortSummary=Independence of the Seas is a {{Convert|160000|MT|adj=on}} cruise liner, succeeding Great Western, SS Great Britain, Conte di Savoia, SS Normandie and Queen Mary.

| LineColor=4C5A6C

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber=9

| Title=Dome

| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2009|09|22|df=yes}}

| AltDate=12 February 2011{{cite web|title=SBS Schedule|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/schedule/SBSONE/2011-02-12/SBS%20Brisbane|publisher=SBS|access-date=6 February 2011|date=12 February 2011}}

| ShortSummary=The dome roof evolution is explored via Pantheon, Florence Cathedral, West Baden Hotel, Astrodome, Georgia Dome and the Ōita Stadium.}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber=10

| Title=Telescope

| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2009|09|29|df=yes}}

| AltDate=22 January 2011{{cite web|title=SBS Schedule|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/schedule/SBSONE/2011-01-22/SBS%20Brisbane|publisher=SBS|access-date=6 February 2011|date=22 January 2011}}

| ShortSummary=The Large Binocular Telescope would not have been possible if it weren't for a variety of breakthroughs in the construction of telescope: Newton's reflector, Parsons' telescope, Hooker telescope, Hale Telescope and Bolshoi telescope.

| LineColor=4C5A6C

}}

=Series 3 (2011)=

{{Episode table |background=4C5A6C |overall= |title= |airdate= |episodes=

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber=1

| Title=Canal

| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2011|07|05|df=yes}}

| ShortSummary=Features the Panama Canal expansion project. Explores the technological development of canals including the Briare Canal, Bridgewater Canal and Manchester Ship Canal

| LineColor=4C5A6C

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber=2

| Title=Icebreaker

| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2011|07|12|df=yes}}

| ShortSummary=Starting from {{Interlanguage link|vertical-align=sup|Eisbrecher I|de|Eisfuchs (Schiff)|fi|Eisbrecher I}}, through Lenin and Polarstern to building the Timofey Guzhenko.

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}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber=3

| Title=Metro

| OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2011|07|19|df=yes}}

| ShortSummary=From City and South London Railway to New York City Subway, Paris Métro and finally London Underground again.

| LineColor=4C5A6C

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber=4

| Title=Prison