What's the name of that type of invention which...

Post by **Transient** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 8:07 pm

...has a whole bunch of unnecessary steps to get something done? Like in order to have a mechanical hand drop a sugar cube into a cup of tea, a candle has to burn a rope, which snaps and drops a pin onto a balloon, which pops and startles a chicken, which lays an egg that rolls down a chute etc. etc...

There's a name for that type of invention, but I can't figure out what it is. I think it's a guy's last name. I remember seeing the original illustration that was done as a comic strip I believe. There's also a convention held annually based on it all.

Anyone have any idea what it's called?

Post by **Postal** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 8:13 pm

Rube Goldberg, I believe.

Post by **seremtan** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 8:20 pm

rube goldberg device, to be exact

some folk did some things like this in hl2 garry's mod

Post by **R00k** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 8:45 pm

I call them Goonies devices. :icon32:

Post by **phantasmagoria** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 8:55 pm

I know them as automata. But they're technically a bit different.

Post by **chopov** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 10:29 pm

There was this car commercial with this kind of "machine". Anyone remember? I believe it was Honda(?).

Post by **R00k** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 10:31 pm

Yea it was Honda, there was a big buzz about it for a while, but I can't remember the name of it now. Something like "Gear," but that's not it.

Post by **PhoeniX** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 10:32 pm

The Cog

Post by **Pooinyourmouth** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 10:51 pm

You mean a machine somthing like in this clip?

http://www.muchosucko.com/video-familyg ... chine.html

Post by **iambowelfish** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 11:04 pm

Heath Robinson?

Post by **MKJ** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 11:05 pm

why, The Incredible Machine ofcourse!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 12:04 am

Pooinyourmouth wrote:You mean a machine somthing like in this clip?

http://www.muchosucko.com/video-familyg ... chine.html

I wonder how many of you guys only had a look at the machine (comic clip) and didn't click on the other links? Be sincere.

Post by **phantasmagoria** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 12:07 am

iambowelfish wrote:Heath Robinson?

HEath Robinson is fantastic.

Post by **phantasmagoria** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 12:10 am

Pooinyourmouth wrote:You mean a machine somthing like in this clip?

http://www.muchosucko.com/video-familyg ... chine.html

does anyone know what the music in the background's called?

Post by **Transient** » Sat Nov 19, 2005 6:18 am

Postal wrote:Rube Goldberg, I believe.

Thanks, that's it. :icon14: