Simple Machines & Mechanical Systems

Simple Machines & Mechanical Systems

Who was Rube Goldberg?

RUBE GOLDBERG (1883-1970) was a cartoonist, an inventor, and the only person ever to be listed in Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary as an adjective.

Who was Rube Goldberg?

Of the nearly 50,000 cartoons he drew in his lifetime, Rube is best known for the zany contraptions he drew. These inventions, also known as Rube Goldberg Machines, solved a simple task in the most overcomplicated, inefficient, and hilarious way possible.

The following videos show examples of Rube Goldberg Machines. See if you can notice the following:

• What is the purpose of the machine

• What simple machines can you notice?

• Do you notice a ramp?

• Do you notice a lever?

• Do you notice a pulley?

Multiple Select

What was the purpose of this machine?

• To help with napping

• To wake up

• To get dressed

• To ring a bell

• To eat or be fed

Multiple Select

What simple machines did you notice? (click all that apply)

• Pulley

• Lever

• Ramp

• Wheel and Axle

Multiple Select

What was the purpose of this machine?

• To help with napping

• To pass the pepper

• To get dressed

• To ring a bell

• To eat or be fed

Multiple Select

What simple machines did you notice? (click all that apply)

• Pulley

• Lever

• Ramp

• Wheel and Axle

Multiple Select

What was the purpose of this machine?

• To help with napping

• To pass the pepper

• To get dressed

• To ring a bell

• To eat or be fed

Multiple Select

What simple machines did you notice? (click all that apply)

• Pulley

• Lever

• Ramp

• Wheel and Axle

Simple machines can be used together in complex machines.

• The Rube Goldberg Machine is an example of a purposefully overly complicated machine with a simple purpose.

• Rube Goldberg Machines can be made from anything and for any purpose.

• By building Rube Goldberg Machines we can get an idea of how systems of machines work together to accomplish a simple goal.