AllMovie

The pike, a weapon of the 14th century, was the first link in a chain of events leading to the propulsion of modern rockets into outer space. In the Connections series, which James Burke created, wrote, produced, and hosted, Burke examines more of the mechanical and economic system changes that enabled major technological advances to be made. Burke's ability to combine the elements into a logical progression makes for riveting fare, highly suitable for family-viewing. In Connections: Eat, Drink & Be Merry, he follows the pike to an infantry's need for food preservation, leading to refrigeration, the thermos, then storage for liquid oxygen and hydrogen, or rocket fuel.