We humans make a lot of stuff. A whole huge amount of stuff. Some of it cool and useful (like safety pins) and some not so (like light up Justin Bieber ties). So if you’ve ever said to yourself, ‘wow, I wonder how they make that product?‘, then this very cool site is probably a place you need to bookmark. Right now.

How Products Are Made is not a glamorous, multimedia rich interactive web application, it’s a very simple, very functional text and diagram based exposé on how everyday things we use are made in the factory.

The format is to give a brief and interesting history of the product, then cover the key design elements and move on to the actual manufacturing process. This final section is probably the most fascinating, because it details everything from the chemistry involved to the actual mechanical aspects, like pressure and heat.

The result is a kind of mini manual which gives a blueprint for the whole production process, and the database of products is pretty big too. We’re talking everything from Hula Hoops to Mayonnaise, all set out in a nice alphabetical index with a handy search box as well. We also like the fact that the authors include a very handy bibliography so you can read up further on each product, plus you can leave comments to ask questions as to particular production methods. Fabulous resource.