‘Accomplishing by complex means what seemingly could be done simply.’
Rube Goldberg is the only person whose name is listed as an adjective in the Merriam Webster Dictionary. After earning his engineering degree in 1904, Goldberg gained fame for his cartoons that illustrated chain-reaction machines intentionally designed to perform simple tasks in an indirect and overcomplicated manner. Each action triggers the initiation of another action, typically unrelated.
Today, engineering students compete annually in Rube Goldberg machine-building competitions, including contests hosted by the Rube Goldberg Institute for Innovation & Creativity, Purdue University, University of Connecticut, and more. Although these contraptions are impractical in real-life, Rube Goldberg machines train engineers to challenge their skills in creativity, problem solving, and scientific concepts.
Watch THIS video of the Rube Goldberg machine listed as the ‘largest’ in the Guinness World Records.
Systems Thinking
Rube Goldberg machines can be thought of as a contraption embodying the domino effect. All parts, whether it's levers, bowling pins, lightbulbs, and more, display interconnectedness in their design.
Objects are placed in precise coordination, because engineers consider how they interact and exert influence on each other. Energy is transferred from one item to another in this process. Timing and synchronisation have to be meticulously planned. This systems thinking approach is crucial in engineering, where complex systems must be optimised to achieve desired results.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical principles are often incorporated into the designs of Rube Goldberg machines. Common parts include inclined planes, levers, strings, pulleys, etc. Assembling such pieces requires (but are not limited to) the engineering skills and knowledge of…
Physics of Energy Transfer
Forces and Motion
Mechanical Advantage
Conservation of Energy
Conservation of Momentum
Engineering Experimentation
Impressive Designs
If you’re interested in witnessing marvellously engineered Rube Goldberg machines, be sure to visit the official website at https://www.rubegoldberg.org/. Building competitions are hosted by the organisation and renowned universities every year; who knows, perhaps you could emerge as a winner in one of these contests.
Works Cited
Jmu.edu. (2022). Understanding Engineering Design through Rube Goldberg Interactions (E2). [online] Available at: https://www.jmu.edu/stemcenter/field-trips-e2.shtml [Accessed 18 Oct. 2023].
McConnell, S. (2018). Rube Goldberg: An engineer’s engineer - Berkeley Engineering. [online] Berkeley Engineering. Available at: https://engineering.berkeley.edu/rube-goldberg-an-engineers-engineer/ [Accessed 18 Oct. 2023].
TeachEngineering.org. (2022). Rube Goldberg and the Meaning of Machines - Lesson. [online] Available at: https://www.teachengineering.org/lessons/view/cub_simp_machines_lesson05 [Accessed 18 Oct. 2023].
The Rube Goldberg Institute. (2023). Rube Goldberg Institute Website. [online] Available at: https://www.rubegoldberg.org/ [Accessed 18 Oct. 2023].
Wikipedia Contributors (2023). Domino effect. [online] Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domino_effect [Accessed 18 Oct. 2023].
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