NOVA: Underwater Dream Machine

"As a child Peter Robbins dreamed of exploring the ocean depths, as an adult he conjured his vision to life assembling the submarine that would allow him to explore the sunken wreckage of World War II-era German U-boats. Armed with nothing more than staunch determination, parts scavenged from the local shipyard, off-the-shelf components, and a plan, Robbins set about fashioning his very own submarine. Christened the ""Alicia,"" Robbins' ship allowed him to explore the U-boats which, as a child, inspired him to pursue a career in engineering. Consisting of more than 2 million parts and budgeted at an astronomical $1.5 million, the boat not only allowed Robbins to achieve a lifelong goal, but inspired him to investigate the possibility of encouraging underwater tourism as well. The release on DVD includes printable materials for educators as well as a described audio feature for the visually impaired."