The self-operating napkin is a famous cartoon that sums up what Rube Goldberg machines are all about: creating a machine(or contraption or invention or device or apparatus) that uses a chain reaction to accomplish a very simple task in a very complicated manner. For example, the self-operating napkin accomplishes the simple task of wiping the chin through this convoluted series of events: lifting a soup spoon (A) pulls a string (B) that jerks a ladle (C) that then throws a cracker (D) past a parrot (E). When the parrot jumps for the cracker, its perch (F) tilts and drops seeds (G) into a pail (H). The extra weight in the pail pulls a cord (I) that opens and lights an automatic cigar lighter (J), which sets off a rocket (K) that causes a sickle
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The art world also loved his works, some of which could soon be found displayed in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Rube eventually even made it to Hollywood, where his move script “Soup to Nuts" introduced a trio who would soon become famous as the Three Stooges.
In 1931, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary added “Rube Goldberg" as an adjective that meant “accomplishing by complex means what seemingly could be done simply." For Rube, his inventions were a way of seeing the humor in everyday situations, and he loved that his work made people laugh. He once described his cartoon inventions as a “symbol of man's capacity for exerting maximum effort to accomplish minimal results."
Over time, Rube's cartoon inventions leapt off the pages and became real-life working machines, built purely for the joy of engineering and watching science in action. Rube's work has inspired millions to build their own complex machines that use convoluted chain reactions to accomplish any number of simple, mundane tasks.
Today, Rube's work lives on in the form of annual Rube Goldberg machine contests. In 1987, the Phi Chapter of Theta Tau, a national engineering fraternity, at Purdue University in Indiana started the annual National Rube Goldberg Machine
The art world also loved his works, some of which could soon be found displayed in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Rube eventually even made it to Hollywood, where his move script “Soup to Nuts" introduced a trio who would soon become famous as the Three Stooges.
In 1931, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary added “Rube Goldberg" as an adjective that meant “accomplishing by complex means what seemingly could be done simply." For Rube, his inventions were a way of seeing the humor in everyday situations, and he loved that his work made people laugh. He once described his cartoon inventions as a “symbol of man's capacity for exerting maximum effort to accomplish minimal results."
Over time, Rube's cartoon inventions leapt off the pages and became real-life working machines, built purely for the joy of engineering and watching science in action. Rube's work has inspired millions to build their own complex machines that use convoluted chain reactions to accomplish any number of simple, mundane tasks.
Today, Rube's work lives on in the form of annual Rube Goldberg machine contests. In 1987, the Phi Chapter of Theta Tau, a national engineering fraternity, at Purdue University in Indiana started the annual National Rube Goldberg Machine