John Ratzenberger's Made in America is an American documentary television series hosted by John Ratzenberger. The series premiered January 6, 2004, on the Travel Channel. Ratzenberger visits various American manufacturers, taking the show's viewers along on the tours and showing how various everyday items are made. The show has visited a variety of factories, including Crayola, Airstream, Yankee Candle, Samuel Adams Brewery, Ruger, Delta Faucet Company, and Rodgers Instruments.
First stop is Nashville, Tennessee, home to the guitar company, Gibson. John chats with country music stars Steve Earle, Dan Seals and Joe Diffie, who all swear by Gibson. Seals and Diffie -- whom John meets with at The Gibson Bluegrass Showcase -- even perform an original song that Seals wrote in honor of their guitars. Later, John heads to the Gibson rough mill, where he sees a Les Paul Supreme (named after the legendary guitarist) being constructed. At the mill, John is given a tour by manager Tom Montgomery, and watches sander Matt Branch, neck-setter Jimmy Wright, waxer Brenda Reid, airbrush artist Rebecca Green, buffer Rich Coleman and tuner Jay Thompson in action.
Next stop is Oaks, Pennsylvania, where flag outfit Annin & Co. is located. John chats with V.P. of Manufacturing Carter Beard and flagmaker Gerry Miller, assists with the carrying of a giant flag, makes a bungled effort to sew a star pattern, and provides instructions on how to handle a flag the patriotic way.
Finally,
Harley DavidsonE2 · 45 min
MonopolyE3 · 45 min
AirstreamE4 · 45 min
Campbell's SoupE5 · 45 min
BarbasolE6 · 45 min
Craftsman ToolsE7 · 45 min
ZippoE8 · 45 min
CorvetteE9 · 45 min
Sikorsky HelicoptersE10 · 45 min
U.S. MintE11 · 45 min
Carousel MagicE12 · 45 min
Purity DairiesE13 · 45 min
TitleistE14 · 45 min
Fleer Trading CardsE15 · 45 min
Brooks BrothersE16 · 45 min
Remo DrumsE17 · 45 min
Barre GraniteE18 · 45 min
Longaberger Basket Co.E19 · 45 min
SteinwayE20 · 45 min
First stop is Steinway & Sons, the piano company operating out of Astoria, Queens, New York. Company president Frank Mazurco demonstrates why Steinway is the preferred piano of professional pianists, boy wonder pianist Josh Bouchette mops up the floor with John, and Director of Manufacturing and Engineering Andy Horbachevsky discusses why it's a challenge to continue this business in NYC. Later, Andy takes John into the factory room to see how a Steinway is handbuilt.
Next stop is Middlebury, Vermont, home to Maple Landmark Woodcraft, a family-owned-and-operated handmade toy company best known for their NameTrains. Founder Mike Rainville, his wife, Jill, sons, Adam and Andrew, mother, Pat, sister, Barbara, grandmother, Harriet, and other employees all declare their pride for crafting educational toys for children of all ages. After a tour of the factory, Mike presents John with a laser-engraved train whistle containing the ""Made in America"" name.
Finally, John gives a history lesson on
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