How It Works

Welcome to How It Works, the magazine that explains everything you never knew you wanted to know about the world we live in. Loaded with fully illustrated guides and expert knowledge, and with sections dedicated to science, technology, transportation, space, history and the environment, no subject is too big or small for How It Works to explain.

WELCOME • Issue 214

Global eye

GLOBAL EYE • Showcasing the incredible world we live in

WISH LIST • HEALTH AND FITNESS

RETURN TO THE MOON • Project Artemis is accelerating its push to put humans back on Earth’s orbital dancing partner before the end of the decade

APOLLO 17: THE LAST CREWED MOON LANDING • It’s been over 50 years since the final Apollo mission, so why haven’t we put astronauts on the Moon since then? NASA’s chief historian explains

HOW TO PREDICT METEOR SHOWERS • Although meteor showers look chaotic and random, we can predict their arrival by charting when our planet’s orbit crosses with that of a disintegrating comet

MICRO PREDATORS • Meet the microscopic life forms that terrorise their equally tiny prey

WHISKERS AT WORK • How long hairs on a cat’s face fine-tune their senses

WHAT ARE MANGROVES? • These plants on stilts have a unique structure that allows them to grow and live in shallow, brackish water

WHY ANIMALS PLAY DEAD • These species have mastered faking their own deaths for several different reasons

THE MASSIVE MICROWAVE OVEN AND OTHER HOME APPLIANCE FIRSTS • Discover the prototypes of everything from the microwave to the electric toothbrush – and why some were unreliable, weird or downright dangerous

INSIDE THE WORLD’S FIRST COMBAT TANK • Take a ride in the British Mark I, the tank that broke the stalemate of trench warfare, but often killed its occupants in the process

HOW AI IMPROVES CAR SAFETY • The vehicle technology that saves lives today – and the innovations that will soon make the roads safer for everyone

HEALING POWER OF ELECTRICITY • Forget pills – in the future, many ailments will be cured by speaking the body’s electrical language

How to GROW YOUNGER • Every cell in your body falls victim to time, but is there a way to reverse ageing?

WHAT IS LIMESCALE? • Why ‘hard’ water leaves chalky, flaky deposits wherever it settles

SMART MOTORCYCLE HELMETS • How these protective shells have evolved into high-tech headgear

HOW TO STOP SUBSEA CABLE SABOTAGE • Underwater cables are listening for approaching saboteurs, ready to alert the authorities

WHAT’S INSIDE… A STEAM MACHINE? • This alternative games console brought PC-quality gaming to your lounge

BRAINDUMP • Amazing answers to your curious questions

THE LIBRARY • The latest book releases for curious minds

BRAIN GYM • Give your brain a puzzle workout

HOW TO… • Practical projects to try at home

INBOX • Speak your mind

How It Works

FAST FACTS • Amazing trivia that will blow your mind