Simplified pencil-sharpener: Open window (A) and fly kite (B). String (C) lifts small door (D) allowing moths (E) to escape and eat red flannel shirt (F). As weight of shirt becomes less, shoe (G) steps on switch (H) which heats electric iron (I) and burns hole in pants (J). Smoke (K) enters hole in tree (L), smoking out opossum (M) which jumps into basket (N), pulling rope (O) and lifting cage (P), allowing woodpecker (Q) to chew wood from pencil (R), exposing lead. Emergency knife (S) is always handy in case opossum or the woodpecker gets sick and can't work.
By cartoonist Rube Goldberg.
I just discovered this artist while reading my Cell Biology textbook. Thought it was an amusing concept: Taking a simple task and making it dependent on many separate events and tasks. Thought it was a great way to talk about Biology and make someone who may not tend to be interested in such things, see the daunting process as an amazing feat. Something as simple as motion of a single celled organism is dependent on many different variables that when combined and occur successfully, produce the desired goal. Our bodies are amazing, amazing things and I wish more people took the time to allow themselves to be awed rather than abuse that which keeps them walking and talking every day.
Goldberg is well known for these "machines" and his influence can be seen in popular games such as Mousetrap. (I never knew!) Just wanted to share his work and throw out a name to google for those who may be interested. Pretty neat guy. Pretty funny work.
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