Inspector Gadget's Field Trip
Inspector Gadget's Field Trip was a spin-off of Inspector Gadget in which the gizmo-gifted but bubble-brained inspector acted as the host of a series of mini-travelogues. Don Adams returned as the voice of the animated Gadget, showing viewers famous cities and sites around the world via live-action clips.
Episodes
The Inspector takes a trip to the beautiful Greek Islands to explore celebrated ancient monuments such as the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheum. He ventures through dark stalactite caves on the island of Andiparos, investigates the secrets of olive oil-making on the island of Lespos, and travels to Olympia to explore the site of the first Olympic Games.
Inspector Gadget explores Native American culture, from the buffalo dance at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center to pottery-making at the Zia Pueblo. He learns about tipis, ventures into an underground Kiva, and investigates old cliff dwellings at both Mesa Verde National Park and Canyon de Chelly in New Mexico. At the Plymouth Plantation, the Inspector takes a look at the Mayflower Compact, watches a re-enactment of the First Thanksgiving Feast, and explores the contributions of Squanto and the Wampanoag Tribe. He then leaps forward to the Salem Witch Trials where he visits the cells of accused witches at the Salem Witch Dungeon Museum.
Inspector Gadget goes to Venice, Italy to check out St. Mark's Square, including the Campanile and the Winged Lion of St. Mark. He then takes off to the Leaning Tower of Pisa to find out why it leans, and along the way, he unravels the mystery of Galileo Galilei's Law of Falling Bodies. On this trip to San Francisco, the ol' Inspector gets an in-depth look at the Golden Gate Bridge, from its three-inch thick cables to its over one million rivets. He stands guard at Fort Point National Historic Sight, climbs up Coit Tower, and checks out the famous pyramid-shaped Transamerica Building.
It's off to Egypt to explore such amazing sites as the ancient Pyramids of Giza and the breath-taking Valley of the Kings, home to the tombs of famous pharaohs Tutankhamen and Ramses IV. The Inspector gazes at Tut's dazzling golden death mask at the Egyptian Antiquities Museum and learns the legends of Queen Hatshepsut and Queen Cleopatra. On this fascinating trip through China, Gadget watches the raising of the flag at Tian An Men Square and wanders through the Forbidden City, exploring such sites as the Imperial Palace, the Gate of Supreme Harmony, and the Bridge of the Golden Water. He then stops off at Coal Hill for a great view of the city and learns the ancient meditative exercises of Qi Gong and Tai Chi Quan.
It's an action-packed field trip through Great Britain as Gadget tours the royal Tower of London, gawks at the dazzling Crown Jewels, and checks out the famous Big Ben. He then stops off at the Houses of Parliament, finds out how he measures up to some of the world's most extraordinary people at the London Guinness World of Records, and watches the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace. With time to spare, the Inspector crosses over the London Bridge and visits some amazingly life-like replicas at Madam Tussaud's Wax Museum.
On this adventure through St. Augustine, Florida, the Inspector checks out the Castillo de San Marcos, stops off at the Oldest Store Museum, and refreshes his ABC's at the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse in the USA. He keeps his distance from the hungry gators at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, and tastes some of the world's hottest peppers at the Dat'l Do It Datil Pepper Farm. Then, unable to resist, Gadget sips from The Fountain of Youth and temporarily shrinks into Gadget Boy. At Colonial Williamsburg, Inspector Gadget explores the daily lives of early American colonists, learning to fashion metal horseshoes, mold clay bricks, and even plow the fields with oxen-drawn carts. He ventures to the Original Capitol Building, and marches over to the Yorktown Encampment to train with the soldiers of the American Revolution.
Follow the ol' Inspector to gay Paree where he explores such sights as the Eiffel Tower, the beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Arc de Triomphe. He visits Napoleon's burial site at the Invalides, checks out a few exhibits at the Louvre, and is careful to avoid the quicksand on his way to Mont St. Michel. Then he zooms under the English Channel on the Chunnel train and ventures to the Palace of Versailles to see where French royalty partied in the 1600's.
On this historical trip to Boston, Massachusetts, Gadget partakes in a re-enactment of the famous Boston Tea Party, visits Fanueil Hall and follows the Freedom Trail to such sites as the Boston Common, the Granary Burial Ground and the first public school. He drops by Paul Revere's house and learns of the rides both he and Sybil Ludington made to warn against the coming of the British. He also visits the site of the first major battle at Bunker Hill and takes a look at the Robert Gould Shaw Monument. Ride with Gadget to Tombstone, Arizona where he visits the OK Corral and watches a reenactment of the famous shoot-out between good guys Doc Holliday and the Earps, and bad guys the Clantons and the McLaurys. He moves on to the Boot Hill Graveyard to visit the graves of Wild West outlaws, experiences an old-time train robbery on the Grand Canyon Railroad, and rides with the legendary Billy the Kid.
All gadgets lead to Rome, and there he takes in the sights such as the Boca della Verite, the Trevi Fountain, the Roman Forum, and the Catacombs. He even takes in a sporting event or two at the Roman Colosseum and the Circus Maximus. Then Gadget boogie boards his way down the famous Roman Aqueducts to Vatican City where he marvels at sights such as the dome of St. Peter's Church and Michelangelo's spectacular painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Follow Gadget through the fascinating Smithsonian Museums as he explores amazing exhibits, such as Foucault's pendulum and Edison's light bulb at the Museum of American History, and a 500-year-old Peruvian mummy at the National Geographic Society Explorer's Hall. He also examines the famous life-mask of Abraham Lincoln at the National Museum of Health and Medicine, and checks out retired Navy ships at the Washington Navy Yard and Navy Museum. The Inspector continues his quest for mystifying museums in New York City where he visits a 65-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus Rex at the Museum of Natural History, admires the unique architecture of the Guggenheim, and crawls through a people-sized sewer tube at the Brooklyn Children's Museum. Next, it's off to the American Immigration Museum to explore the mystery of America's first immigrants, and then to NY Unearthed to uncover some amazing artifacts.
In the thriving metropolis of New York City, Gadget explores the symbolic Statue of Liberty, checks out some of the world's tallest buildings, including the Empire State Building and the World Trade Towers, and sits with delegates from all over the world at the UN. He visits the New York Stock Exchange to try his hand at the stock market, and then gawks at the thousands of gold bars in the vaults of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
On this exciting adventure through Madrid, Spain, the Inspector tours the regal Palacio Real de Madrid, marvels at statues of former queens and kings at the Plaza de Oriente, and admires the works of famous Spanish artists at the Prado Museum. He tries on traditional Spanish hats at Casa Yustas, takes a stroll through the royal Parquede Retiro, and then steps out onto the dance floor to twirl to the Sardana and the Flamenco. Gadget saddles up with some of the most legendary cowboys in US history on this amazing field trip through the American Southwest. He brushes paths with the famous Buffalo Bill and the amazing sharpshootress Annie Oakley, and checks out some of the most renowned cowboy stars of the silver screen at the Gene Autry Museum. Then he's off to a dude ranch in New Mexico to catch a glimpse of modern cowboy life.
On his quest for gold, the ol' Inspector is surprised to discover copper at The Queen Mine in Bisbee, Arizona. So he proceeds to Gold Country in Northern California where he explores the mining town of Coloma and checks out Marshall Gold Discovery State Park. In Bodie, California, Gadget runs into the best-preserved ghost town in the world. On this quest to explore the natural wonders of the Southwest, the Inspector rides a mule down into the Grand Canyon, rafts across the Colorado River, and stands in four states at once at the Four Corners Monument. He ventures through the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, then visits the Rainbow Bridge in Utah--one of the seven wonders of the world.
Follow Gadget to the fascinating country of China where he wanders through the Temple of Heaven, checks out Beihai Park, and marvels at the White Dagoba Shrine on Jade Island. He then stops off at the famous Five Dragon Pavilions and rests at the Jingxinzhai, or the Studio of Rested Heart. It's go-go Gadget surfboard time as the Inspector takes off for the tropical state of Hawaii where he keeps cool under a 60-foot Banyun Tree in Lahaina, and checks out amazing marine-life aboard the Atlantis Submarine. Next he's off to the famous Waikiki Beach to surf killer waves, and then takes an unforgettable plunge into the Dolphin Quest Learning Center Lagoon to swim with a family of dolphins.
It's a fascinating field-trip to Australia where the Inspector checks out remarkable ancient paintings at Ayers Rock and explores the amazing rituals and customs of Aboriginal tribes. He then travels to the Australian Outback where students receive lessons via radio from The School of the Air and medical emergencies are treated by the Royal Flying Doctor's Service. Follow the ol' Inspector as he takes off to investigate the mystery and history of Hawaiian Island Culture. First stop, the Polynesian Cultural Center to explore a Hale Mua, or men's eating house, and watch as Maori Villagers imitate the sounds of nature using poi balls. Next, it's off to a traditional Luau for a performance of the daring Samoan Fire Dance, and then a tour of the sugar cane plantations at Hawaii's Plantation Village.
It's an explosive trip to Hawai'i as the ol' Inspector watches hot lava burst from the Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes and checks out the two twin telescopes, Keck and Keck II, which see far off to distant galaxies. Then he takes a ride up the Road to Hana and purifies himself in the seven sacred pools of the Oheo Gulch. The Inspector travels all the way to Italy to marvel at another famous volcano, Mt. Vesuvius, and to check out the preserved cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, which were buried by wakes of lava and volcanic ash nearly 2000 years ago.
On this field trip to Sydney, Australia, Gadget finds out what the life of an island-prisoner was like at the Hyde Park Barracks, he visits the first European colony at The Rocks, and steps aboard the Solaway Lass to get a feel for an old-time sea voyage. And he's not fooled by the ten sails on the Sydney Opera House – they're just for show! Next, Gadget escapes to Alcatraz to find out how three resourceful prisoners broke out of this former island prison, and he visits the actual cells of gangster Al Capone and bank robber Machine Gun Kelly. Next he stops off at Ghirardelli Square to explore the art of chocolate-making, then takes off to the California Academy of Sciences where he's shaken up by a simulated earthquake, or "fake quake."
The Inspector weaves his way through the canals of Venice, Italy on a classic gondola, checking out the busy Grand Canal and passing under such beautiful bridges as the Accademia Bridge and the Rialto Bridge. He also stops off at St. Mark's Square, and travels to the little island of Murano to learn the age-old art of glass-blowing. Gadget sails down the amazing Nile River in Egypt where he explores the many uses of papyrus, learns why camels are considered a desert man's best friend, and discovers how Egyptians have learned to store precious Nile water with catch basins, irrigation channels and ultimately with the Aswan High Dam.
From kangaroos with pouches to skinks that smell with their tongues, Gadget confirms that there's nothing like the Mighty Animals of Australia. He discovers Yellow-Bellied Possums that fly up to 100 yards, Fairy Penguins that migrate according to the sun, and duck-billed platypuses that share similarities with both the reptile and the mammal. He even uncovers a Giant Gippsland Earthworm which can measure up to nine feet long. Next it's go-go gadget field trip to Barcelona, Spain to count the spires on the beautiful Templo de la Sagrada Familia, investigate the amazing mechanical dolls at the Automata Museum and marvel at brilliant paintings by Joan Miro at the Joan Miro Foundation. Then Gadget checks out a traditional Spanish bullfight, and gets up-close and personal with the bulls at the running of the bulls celebration in Pamplona.
Follow the ol' Inspector to Washington DC where he investigates such well-known landmarks as the White House, the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial. Then he's off to explore the Supreme Court, tiptoe through the Library of Congress, and marvel at the sheets of cash being printed at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. But the field trip isn't complete until the Inspector has gone undercover at the Pentagon and the FBI.
Would you believe The Great Wall of China is the largest man-made structure in the world? Would you believe Empress Dowager built her Summer Palace with funds intended for the navy? Would you believe the Chinese actually relieve pain by sticking needles into the skin with acupuncture? How about there are only about 1000 Giant Pandas left in the wild today? Find out on this remarkable field trip through China. Take a royal ride through the canals of Venice, Italy to explore such amazing palaces as the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, the Ca d'Oro, and the Palazzo Ducale, or Doge's Palace. Check out the Torture Chamber and take a deep breath as you cross over the Bridge of Sighs--it just may be your last. Then explore the prison where many famous convicts, including Casanova, served time.
Gadget is off to awesome Egypt to explore such sights as King Zoser's Step Pyramid and the famous Pyramids of Giza. He unravels the riddle of the Sphinx, wanders through the Cairo Bazaar and explores Tut's treasures at the Egyptian Antiquities Museum. He then travels to Dr. Ragabs Pharaonic Village where he learns to decipher ancient hieroglyphic symbols and walks along the Avenue of the Sphinxes which leads him to the Temple of Karnak and Temple of Luxor.
The Inspector is off to the Greek island of Santorini to check out the volcanic ruins at Akrotiri and old cliff dwellings in Oia. Then in Delphi, he investigates the Omphalos or Naval Stone, and at the archeological museum in Iraklion, Gadget explores some of Crete's most mysterious and ancient treasures. Before he leaves the beautiful islands of Greece, he winds his way through the Matala caves and tastes some of Greece's favorite dishes. Lights, camera, action! We're rolling on the set of Los Angeles, California! First stop, the 45-foot Hollywood sign, then off to Mann's Chinese Theater and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Next, Gadget rides the world's smallest railroad at Angel's Flight Funicular and tours a classic English cruise ship called the Queen Mary. Then he's off to the Griffith Observatory to gaze at real stars and planets, and his whirlwind tour ends at the J. Paul Getty Museum.
Explore the bountiful underwater world of Australia, from the amazing Great Barrier Reef to some of the world's largest pearls. Check out two mysterious ships, the HMS Bounty and the HMS Pandora, which still lie shipwrecked at the bottom of the sea. And don't miss a chance to get up-close and personal with some of the largest reptiles on earth at the Crocodylus Park Crocodile Research Center. Splash into an amazing field trip through the Florida Keys' Underwater World to frolic with the ocean's friendliest mammals at Dolphins Plus and learn what it takes to become an amateur aquanaut at Scott Carpenter's Man in the Sea Program. Even watch TV or have food delivered to the Jules Undersea Lodge, and discover amazing sunken treasures with the diving team of the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Center.
Blast-off with the Old Inspector to Florida's amazing Space Coast, home of the Kennedy Space Center and the Astronaut Hall of Fame! Feel the jolt of breaking through the earth's atmosphere inside a G-force simulator, watch the successful take-off of the Endeavor space shuttle, and get a taste of life in outer space inside the Virtual Reality Space Station. Even trek along the moon's surface in a lunar rover with Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong, and watch as Alan Shepard hits a quarter of a mile golf drive off the moon. On his mission to uncover the mysteries of early flight, the Inspector heads to the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. Here, he is able to check out such remarkable instruments as Otto Lilienthal's Glider, The Wright Brothers' Flyer, and Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis. He breaks the sound barrier with Chuck Yeager and even checks out modern flying machines, such as the Gemini 4 spacecraft, the Skylab 4 Command Module and a hypersonic rocket.
It's go-go-Gadget paintbrush time as the ol' Inspector visits the many museums in Paris, such as the humungous Louvre and the grand Palace of Versailles. Also on display are the dolls in the Musée de la Pupee, the wonders of science and technology at La Villette, and all the counterfeits at the Musée de la Contrefaçon. San Francisco makes the ol' Inspector feel a bit homesick when he visits the bionic cables at the Cable Car Museum and explores all the wonders of science at San Francisco's Exploratorium at the Palace of Fine Arts. Wondering what the future has in store for him, Gadget travels down Lombard Street to the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. Confucius says, "Fun!"
