Popular Mechanics South Africa

The South African edition of Popular Mechanics was launched in 2002 and has fast become the acknowledged voice of science and technology in South Africa. Underpinning its rich sci-tech content is an ever-changing mix of articles covering everything from automotive news and outdoor adventures to DIY projects. In essence, it explains how our world works

WORK THAT MATTERS

Popular Mechanics South Africa

Stand together

CALENDAR • UPDATE YOUR DIARY • THIS DAY IN HISTORY

TIME MACHINE • It made per fect sense at the time

The case for the 59-second minute and why it could wreck us

The truth about the Black Knight conspiracy theory

The US Air Force is putting death rays on fighter jets. Yes, death rays

A BRIEF TIMELINE OF MILITARY LASER HISTORY

After you die, you could be resurrected as a chatbot. That’s a problem

STRANGER THAN (SCIENCE) FICTION

Uh-oh… New research on extinctions shows life doesn’t always find a way

EXTINCTION 101 • How the ‘big five’ extinctions shaped the trajectory of life on Earth

Some of the trendiest craft beers are exploding. Huh?!

ALL BOTTLED UP

Driven • A not-so-brief history of the rise, and rise, of Tesla.

Who should buy an electric car?

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GEAR & GADGETS • Must-have hardware for humans on the go

OUTCLASS ITS COMPETITION

THE WORLD’S FIRST TACTICAL CHAIR • How a chair designed to survive torpedoes became a timeless icon of industrial design.

WINDS OF CHANGE • Local start-up Brayfoil Technologies is fast becoming an established name in the sustainable energy sector, with their pioneering work creating shape-altering biomimetic blades for wind turbines.

The smart bulb that gave light a new purpose

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What Are You Building?

A cabinet for my fishing tackle

A grill-top pizza oven

A 1934 Ford Coupé • I stripped it to the frame, then built my dream car.

GETTING A GRIP ON GRINDERS • A grinder can be an intimidating power tool. To be more confident and safer while using one, here are some of the most common angle-grinder mistakes, and how best to prevent them.

LEARN TO MAKE THROUGH-DOVETAIL JOINTS • In our series on woodworking joinery, we’ve covered lap joints and mortise and tenons, and now, in part five, it’s time to take a closer look at the classic dovetail joint.

WOOD FOR THE PROJECT

PROCESS

WHICH RUST-REMOVING PRODUCT WORKS BEST?

HOW TO BE GOOD AT WHAT YOU DO • /Mike Vallely, 50, Owner of Street Plant, Long Beach, California/

PM GARAGE • Opinions on cars we’ve driven

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Clever tips and lifehacks

WIN WITH MASTER LOCK • Write to us with your tip and you could win a prize from Master Lock. This issue’s top contribution has won: