Staying Young With Rube Goldberg

Posted by RJ Licata | October 13, 2010

Mousetrap Board Game

Rube Goldberg was the man. I didn’t know him personally – he died in 1970 (before I was born), but he is responsible for coming up with the concept for what is now known as Rube Goldberg Machines.

Wikipedia (which is quickly becoming my favorite website ~~on the planet~~ in cyberspace) describes Rube Goldberg Machines as “complex devices that perform simple tasks in indirect, convoluted ways.”

A couple weeks ago I saw a video online where a few kids had put together a Rube Goldberg machine and absolutlely lost their minds with excitement when it went off successfully. The machine itself was nothing special, but they didn’t care.

It was fun for me to see kids being kids. It’s proof that there are other ways to play, without having to sit in front of a TV or organize a sandlot game. I give them and their parents a lot of credit.

What’s cool about building a Rube Goldberg Machine is it doesn’t have to cost any money – it can (and should) be built from things you have around the house. Kid’s toys are perfect components for a RGM because they come built with moving parts.

The next time your son or daughter tells you they’re bored, despite having thousands of dollars worth of the latest and greatest Mattel has to offer, introduce the brat to the concept behind a Rube Goldberg Machine and watch them go to work. I bet it won’t be long before you’re down on the floor scheming with them.

If inspiration is what you need here are some of my favorite RGM’s…

Pee Wee’s Breakfast Machine

A great soundtrack to accompany a nutritious breakfast. I pity the fool who doesn’t watch this one…

The Truffle Shuffle
(pick this one up at :19)

Jerk alert! Chunk has something really important to tell the guys but they won’t let him in until he does the Truffle Shuffle. When he does, an RGM helps them open the gate …

The Honda Commercial

This RGM uses only parts from the Honda Accord and took a reported 606 takes to film this two minute commercial. Very cool.