7 stories tagged practical-engineering, newest first.
166 points by sohkamyung | 162 comments
Practical Engineering article and video transcript on the history of exterior fire escapes in US cities and why building codes replaced them with enclosed stairways.
![Screenshot of youtube.com: Every US Electrical Outlet Explained [video]](https://hn.urlbox.com/shots/renders/2026/10/12/30ce193d-1127-4846-8ed5-cb58c8198c29.jpg)
25 points by zdw | 36 comments
A Practical Engineering YouTube video explaining the various types of US electrical outlets and plug standards.
397 points by michaefe | 197 comments
A Practical Engineering blog post and embedded video explaining the engineering and history of the Los Angeles Aqueduct.
471 points by chmaynard | 189 comments
Practical Engineering blog post and video examining whether the world is actually running out of sand used in construction and industry.
471 points by impish9208 | 292 comments
Practical Engineering blog post and embedded video explaining the hidden engineering behind modern landfills.
688 points by chmaynard | 177 comments
A Practical Engineering blog post with an embedded video explaining how French drains work to manage groundwater and drainage.
577 points by mrzool | 392 comments
Practical Engineering blog post with an embedded video explaining why desalinating seawater into drinking water is technically and economically difficult.