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

WHATEVER FLOATS YOUR BOAT

Popular Mechanics South Africa

SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE UP TO 33% • 6 ISSUES FOR R219 | 12 ISSUES FOR R439

A touch of the East

CALENDAR • THIS DAY IN HISTORY

TIME MACHINE • It made perfect sense at the time

The age of mammals • The Rise and Reign of the Mammals is a book that tells us not only about the past, but about our future as a species too.

How to safely enter a black hole

So, how do scientists really study black holes?

Maths could’ve saved Texas’s power grid in 2021

CHALLENGER: A CASE STUDY

The Pentagon wants to launch a nuclear thermal rocket in 4 years

A brief history of NTP programmes

The radioactive diamond battery that will run for 28 000 years

Why blue diamonds?

Researchers say they’ve finally sequenced the entire human genome. Yes, all of it

How the human genome is helping to fight COVID-19

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

Save the Northern White Rhino • We have the science and technology to bring animals back from extinction. But should we use it?

THE ACCIDENTAL UNDERWATER DISCOVERY THAT CHANAGE ARCHAEOLOGY FOREVER • They spent hundreds of thousands of years under the waters of Table Bay – and 25 years under marine archaeologist Bruno Werz’s bed. But now a priceless collection of Acheulean hand axes that redefined the parameters of undersea archaeology has taken its rightful place at the Iziko South African Museum in Cape Town.

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED AT 777 PINE STREET?

Bionic augmentation… Humanity’s next big leap? • Prosthetics can enhance human abilities, instead of – through medical necessity – merely matching them. From exoskeletons to artificial organs, and Elon Musk’s Neuralink brain computing lab, a future is fastapproaching where able-bodied humans will be prosthetically enhanced.

Hybrid Humans

THIS IS THE EASIEST DIY BOAT-BUILDING METHOD WE’VE EVER SEEN • AND THE GUY WHO DISCOVERED IT IS SHARING ALL OF HIS SECRETS

DRILL MASTER • For cordless versatility, the Slammer Hammer from WORX is a powerhouse drill for all occasions.

BUILD A CLASSIC LAP DESK • Using the skills gained from PM’s woodworking articles this year, which covered the three main classes of traditional joints – easy lap joints, sturdy mortise and tenons, and beautiful dovetails – we now combine these techniques to create a classic lap desk.

PROCESS

OCCUPATION

Volkswagen Polo GTI 2.0 TSI 147 kW • Opinions on cars we’ve driven

SUBSCRIBE TO POPULAR MECHANICS

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: