★ This book is compiled based on the 160-episode German documentary “How It Works” organized into 13 major chapters. It provides a detailed and richly illustrated overview of the design concepts and manufacturing processes behind numerous products in areas such as clothing, food, housing, and transportation.
★ The author has received honors including the Primo Levi International Science Communication Award in Italy and has been deeply engaged in the field of science communication for many years.
★ The book features numerous world-renowned brands, including Belgian chocolate and Harley-Davidson motorcycles, with in-depth visits to their production facilities. It offers a detailed explanation of their design philosophies and manufacturing processes, making it a valuable reference for entrepreneurs and engineers.

This book draws on the German documentary series “How It Works”, distilling its 160 episodes into 13 thematic sections: Food, Agriculture, Kitchenware, Apparel, Hygiene, Entertainment & Culture, Everyday Goods, Utensils & Objects, Sports, Environmental Protection, Industry, Transportation, and Miscellaneous.

The companies featured in this book are either leading global players in their respective industries, major contributors to their home countries’ fiscal revenues, or integral parts of national cultural heritage rooted in ancient traditions.

The camera takes us deep into production facilities around the world, showcasing everything from Belgian chocolate, Japanese soy sauce, and Canadian maple syrup to American rice, Iranian pistachios, and South African avocados; from Savile Row suits, cashmere wool, and Wellington rain boots to grand pianos, LEGO bricks, and model race cars; from Swatch watches and Fireball footballs to Harley-Davidson motorcycles, wind and solar power generation, skyscraper construction, and underground gold mining.

Zhao Zhizhen

A journalist and member of the Chinese Writers Association, Zhao has served as vice president of both the China Association of Science and Technology Journalists and the China Association of Science and Education Film and Television. He founded the large-scale science communication television program “The Light of Science and Technology.” In 1999, he was recognized as a National Outstanding Science Communication Worker and received the Primo Roffi International Science Communication Award in Italy. In 2003, he was appointed as a “Pao Yue-kong Distinguished Visiting Artist” by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. In 2005, he was named a National Outstanding Science and Technology Worker and was nominated as China’s candidate for the UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the Popularization of Science. In 2008, he was honored as an Outstanding Individual in the Science and Technology Olympics and was shortlisted as one of the “Top 10 Individuals in China Who Best Communicate Science and Technology.” He has authored and published several books, including “The Light of Science and Technology in the Olympics,” “The Book of Creation,” “Magical Science,” and “Record of Spreading the Flame of Knowledge.”

Volume I

Food Section
Belgian Chocolate
Chocolate Cake
Ice Cream
Soy Sauce
Cream Cheese
Camembert Cheese
Parmesan Cheese
Donuts
German Beer
Italian Pasta
Sushi
Whiskey
Croissants
Butter Cookies
Instant Soup Mixes
Dry-Cured Ham
Nutella Chocolate Spread
Agricultural Products Section
Rice
Sweet Corn
Corn Flakes
French Fries
Canned Pineapple
Pistachios
Bananas
Maple Syrup
Sugar Production from Beets
Harvesting Avocados
Organic Strawberries
Olive Oil
Mushrooms
Cherry Jam
Chocolate
Instant Coffee
Tea Bags
Asparagus
Sweet Chili Sauce

Cookware Section
Apparel Section
Hygiene Section
Entertainment Section

Volume II
Daily Necessities Section
Utensils Section
Sports Section
Environmental Protection Section
Industry Section
Transportation Section
Miscellaneous Section
…