Rice will be the topic of the Dec. 29 episode of the History Channel's "Modern Marvels" (9 p.m. Eastern and Pacific/8 p.m. Central).  The broadcast is expected to include footage from the Arkansas and California rice industries and will be available on the History Channel's Web site after it airs.

"Modern Marvels" has produced more than 500 episodes on topics such as science, technology, electronics, mechanics, engineering, architecture, industry, mass production, manufacturing, and agriculture.