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

Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2005 8:07 pm
by Transient
...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?

Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2005 8:13 pm
by Postal
Rube Goldberg, I believe.

Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2005 8:20 pm
by seremtan
rube goldberg device, to be exact

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

Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2005 8:45 pm
by R00k
I call them Goonies devices. :icon32:

Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2005 8:55 pm
by phantasmagoria
I know them as automata. But they're technically a bit different.

Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2005 10:29 pm
by chopov
There was this car commercial with this kind of "machine". Anyone remember? I believe it was Honda(?).

Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2005 10:31 pm
by R00k
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.

Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2005 10:32 pm
by PhoeniX
The Cog

Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2005 10:51 pm
by Pooinyourmouth
You mean a machine somthing like in this clip?

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

Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2005 11:04 pm
by iambowelfish
Heath Robinson?

Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2005 11:05 pm
by MKJ
why, The Incredible Machine ofcourse!

Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2005 12:04 am
by Guest
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.

Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2005 12:07 am
by phantasmagoria
iambowelfish wrote:Heath Robinson?
HEath Robinson is fantastic.

Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2005 12:10 am
by phantasmagoria
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?

Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2005 6:18 am
by Transient
Postal wrote:Rube Goldberg, I believe.
Thanks, that's it. :icon14: