James May's 20th Century ep06 Big City, Bright Lig

Each day, 180,000 people move into a city somewhere on the planet. In Big City, <br /> Bright Lights, James sets out to discover how people have created this <br /> high-rise, 24/7 experiment in urban living.<br /> <br /> He heads for New York and the top floors of the Woolworth building, once the <br /> tallest building in the world. It's being renovated, but how strong is it? To <br /> find out, he decides to drop a 1982 Mini 1000 on to a plate of skyscraper glass.<br /> <br /> At the start of the 20th century there was no National Grid and no agreed system <br /> of voltage; and James discovers that in 1922, there were 22 different plugs used <br /> across the country ñ until a Geordie electrician, Charles Merz, came up with a <br /> master plan.<br /> <br /> "The Merz mantra was unprecedented. One nation. One voltage. One plug," says <br /> James.<br /> <br /> But there's one light bulb James wants to find out about ñ one that was invented <br /> in the 20th century.<br /> <br /> "And there's one form of light that radiates come-hither hues to all those who <br /> are looking for some action... This l

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