25 Brilliant GIFs That Explain How Stuff Works

There are things all around us that may seem simple, but when we really get down to thinking about it, we realize we have no idea how they work! Instead of Googling every single thing you can think of that you don't understand, here are 25 helpful gifs to make you that much smarter.

25. How Keys Work

[Image Source: Giphy]

This makes being able to pick a lock an even more impressive skill.

24. How Guns Fire

[Image Source: Giphy]

Whatever your opinion on guns is, you have do admit that they are impressive precision machines.

23. A Rotary Engine

[Image Source: Giphy]

While this tends to be an uncommon automobile engine, it was used in many production cars over the years.

22. How a Sewing Machine Works

[Image Source: Giphy]

Who knew that sewing machines had so much internal tiny mechanisms?

21. How a Trumpet Works

[Image Source: Giphy]

Trumpets are one of the oldest horn instruments. While simple, they can produce a variety of notes and sounds. Seeing how they work makes them even more impressive.

20. A Heat Pump

[Image Source: Giphy]

Heat pumps can be used in place of air conditioning systems. Anyone know of any other uses?

19. How Dogs Drink

[Image Source: Giphy]

I've seen dogs drink water thousands of times but I had no idea it was this complicated.

18. How Car Engines Work

[Image Source: Giphy]

This is one of the better gifs out there explaining every different step of car engine cycling.

17. Rotating Fans

[Image Source: Giphy]

The mechanism behind a simple oscillating fan isn't that complex, but it is pretty mesmerizing and it answers so many questions.

16. Turbocharger

[Image Source: Giphy]

This is how a turbocharger works.

15. How a Record Player Works

[Image Source: Giphy]

If you've ever looked at a vinyl record and wondered how there was music on there, this is how. The vibrations of those tiny valleys result in what we hear as music!

14. Zippers

[Image Source: Giphy]

You probably have a zipper on you right now – the more you know.

13. Different Wing Flight Motions

[Image Source: Giphy]

All birds and insects do not fly the same. This is how various birds fly and flap their wings.

12. Grenades

[Image Source: Giphy]

If you ever come across a live grenade, I would advise that you do not pull the pin.

11. How Lightning Striking a Car Works

[Image Source: Giphy]

Your car is actually one of the safest places you can be in a lightning storm. This is why.

10. Solar Panels

[Image Source: Giphy]

Oppositely doped silicon atoms are at the core of what makes solar panels such a good generator of electricity.

9. Cell Division

[Image Source: Giphy]

In case you forgot your high-school biology days, this gif should help.

8. Vending Machines

[Image Source: Giphy]

Why don't more vending machines have this functionality...?

7. How Pop Rivets Work

[Image Source: Giphy]

Pop rivets are a nice and clean way to secure metal, and it's rather interesting to see how they work.

6. Tattoo Machines

[Image Source: Giphy]

Does this make you want a tattoo more or less?

5. Old Style Keys

[Image Source: Giphy]

Old style keys are pretty cool, but when you see this mechanism, you likely realize why they are so easy to pick.

4. Differentials

[Image Source: Giphy]

This is a simple demonstration of how a differential works when a car is turning.

3. How Ants Walk

[Image Source: Giphy]

Apparently, the way ants walk is incredibly mesmerizing.

2. How Solar Systems Work

[Image Source: Giphy]

You just saw how solar panels generate electricty, well this is how the entire system works.

1. How Wind Turbines Work

[Image Source: Giphy]

Wind energy could make up a huge portion of our future renewable energy, this is how the turbines work.

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