The Mythbusters' Guide to Gonzo Engineering (With Video!)

• Mythbusters
• engineering
• workshop
• Jamie Hyneman
• Adam Savage
• DIY

On a dead-end street in an industrial corner of east San Francisco stands an unremarkable two-story building. A modest sign identifies the premises as the headquarters of M5 Industries, a special-effects company started in 1994 by Jamie Hyneman—today best known as the star of the Discovery Channel show MythBusters—and where his co-star Adam Savage was once also employed. Another, smaller sign politely urges sightseers to go away. There are no tours, autograph signings or opportunities to purchase souvenirs inside.

Except for spooky robots guarding the stairs, M5’s second-floor offices could be those of any small company, with cluttered desks, a computer room and a small kitchen. Whiteboards are everywhere, crammed with top-of-the-brain doodles, rough technical drawings and the complex logistics of planning the MythBusters shooting schedule. In recent years, special-effects work has taken a back seat to the relentless demands of the show, and M5 today functions primarily as home base for the MythBusters production team. (The show’s secondary segments, involving the team of Kari Byron, Grant Imahara and Tory Belleci, are produced at a different location.)

On this Monday morning, the crew is deep into an episode testing the question of whether golf-ball-like dimples on a car body could reduce aerodynamic drag and improve fuel economy. Compared to crashing two semi trucks head-on (episode 41) or trying to tip over a remote-control city bus (episode 115), today’s challenge might seem straightforward. But Jamie and Adam still have to clear some daunting engineering hurdles—while sticking to the show’s breakneck production schedule.

MORE FROM THE POPULAR MECHANICS SPECIAL MYTHBUSTERS ISSUE: • Mythbusters help PM test sport bikes in Death Valley • Jamie Hyneman on when not to design on computers • DIY Home and Auto tips from Adam and Jamie • ...and much more!

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