Rube GoldbergRube Goldberg (1883-1970) was a Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist, sculptor and author.
Best known for his “inventions”, Rube’s early years as an engineer informed his most acclaimed work. A Rube Goldberg contraption – an elaborate set of arms, wheels, gears, handles, cups and rods, put in motion by balls, canary cages, pails, boots, bathtubs, paddles and live animals – takes a simple task and makes it extraordinarily complicated. He had solutions for How To Get The Cotton Out Of An Aspirin Bottle, imagined a Self-Operating Napkin, and created a Simple Alarm Clock – to name just a few of his hilariously depicted drawings. The promise and pitfalls of modern technology make Rube Goldberg’s inventions even more relevant now than when they were originally created. From think-tanks in Silicon Valley, to the New York Times, to Sunday morning’s Meet the Press, hardly a day goes by without the name “Rube Goldberg” being invoked. In fact Rube Goldberg is an adjective in Webster’s Dictionary. Rube did not build the machines he drew, but his cartoons have become an inspiration to aspiring engineers and scientists across the world. |
Rube Goldberg Machines
A Rube Goldberg Machine is an overly complex contraption, designed with humor and a narrative, to accomplish a simple task.
Rube Goldberg Machine from Michael Szabo on Vimeo. |
Simple Machines
Via Wikipedia: A simple machine is a mechanical device that changes the direction or magnitude of a force. In general, they can be defined as the simplest mechanisms that use mechanical advantage (also called leverage) to multiply force.
Project Overview
For this project, you will start with a brief study of simple machines. You will then plan and construct your own Rube Goldberg machine. After you construct your working Rube Goldberg machine, you will video tape your machine in action and produce a final video to share with the class.
You will work in a group for this project. use the linked Google form below to register your group. You should chose a group leader who will be in charge. Your group is limited to five total members. Be careful to click on SUBMIT when you finish filling in the names.
Use the tabs at the top of this page to guide you through the process and the requirements. If you do not understand, ask.
You will work in a group for this project. use the linked Google form below to register your group. You should chose a group leader who will be in charge. Your group is limited to five total members. Be careful to click on SUBMIT when you finish filling in the names.
Use the tabs at the top of this page to guide you through the process and the requirements. If you do not understand, ask.
Assessment
Use the checklist below to help you keep track of the assignments involved in completing the Rube Goldberg Machine.
rube_checklist.docx | |
File Size: | 13 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Introduction and Simulation
Follow the link below to play an online game that represents a simulation of a Rube Goldberg Machine.
Dynamic Systems Game
Dynamic Systems Game