Anchors Don’t Work the Way You Think

Most people think an anchor simply drops to the bottom and holds a ship in place because it is heavy. But how do anchors work in reality? The answer is much more interesting than it seems. In this episode of Artifacts by Max, we explain how do anchors work, why the shape of an anchor matters more than its weight, how it digs into the seabed, and why the anchor chain plays a major role in keeping a vessel secure. You’ll also see why different seabeds require different anchor designs. Once you understand how do anchors work, you’ll realize that an anchor is not just a heavy piece of metal — it is a carefully engineered system designed to grip, hold, and resist enormous forces. Subscribe to Artifacts by Max for the hidden history, surprising engineering, science, and stories behind everyday things.