Surviving History is a series that aired on the History Channel. In the show, ancient weapons, devices, and execution methods are recreated and tested.[1]

Surviving History
StarringDavid Fachman
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes9
Production
Executive producersTravis Gray, Nicholas Panagopulos
Production locationColumbus, Ohio
Running time44 minutes (without commercials)
Original release
NetworkHistory Channel
ReleaseJune 15 (2008-06-15) –
July 20, 2008 (2008-07-20)

Description edit

On Surviving History, the founder and employees of the ScareFactory attempt to recreate ancient devices. The main team consists of Dave Fachman (Boss), Eric Conrath (Art Director), Josh Craig (Floor Manager), Brian Shoaf (Historian), Chad Reynolds (Fabricator), and DJ Weatherby (Welder/Designer). The show also features three history professors who are experts on ancient technologies, Dr. Keith Pepperell (6 episodes) Dr. Meg Mateer (2 episodes) and Dr. Tim Davis (1 episode).[2] The devices created are not always built of period materials or methods, but are functional. Dangerous devices are tested with purpose-build dummies. Many are also tested on ScareFactory employees, with appropriate protection and emergency services.

Broadcast history edit

Surviving History aired on Sunday nights in June, then moved to Thursday nights. 4 episodes aired in a marathon during the afternoon of July 12, 2008. The final episode aired in the early morning of July 20, 2008.

The series began airing on History International at 8PM ET on Tuesdays, beginning September 2, 2008.

Individual episodes are available through VOD services, iTunes, and DVDs in the History Channel store.

All 9 episodes were released on DVD on November 18, 2008.[3]

Episode list edit

This table lists the episodes in the order they were aired. The episode numbers on iTunes and similar may be different.

The official web page on the History web site was never updated after the first few episodes and only has descriptions of the first three, with the wrong air date for the 3rd.

Episode # Title Production Code Original airdate
1TBATBAJune 15, 2008 (2008-06-15)
Halifax Gibbet, Chinese water torture, Iron Boot, Iron Maiden, Chinese Fire Arrow
2TBATBAJune 22, 2008 (2008-06-22)
Liar's rack, Branks, Atlatl, Brazen bull, Pillory
3TBATBAJune 29, 2008 (2008-06-29)
Breaking wheel, Firewalking, Bastinado, Treadwheel, Tar and Feathers
4TBATBATBA
Pressed to Death, Cat o' nine tails, Pretzel, Scorpio, Heron's vending machine
5TBATBAJuly 12, 2008 (2008-07-12)
Judas Cradle, Pear of Anguish, Heretic's fork, The Pit and the Pendulum, Ball and chain
6TBATBAJuly 12, 2008 (2008-07-12)
Garrote, Isolation Chamber, Rope torture, Gallows, Firing squad
7TBATBAJuly 12, 2008 (2008-07-12)
Strappado, Shame flute, Chinese repeating crossbow, Joust, Chastity belt
8TBATBAJuly 12, 2008 (2008-07-12)
Battering ram, Baghdad Battery, Morning Star, Whirligig, Hero's Steam Engine
9TBATBAJuly 20, 2008 (2008-07-20)
Archimedes' Death ray, Barrel Roll, Ducking stool, Rack, Scavenger's daughter

References edit

External links edit