Getting Started in The Rube Goldberg Machine Contest

I have long been a fan of Rube Goldberg, so I was surprised to learn that many do not know of the man or his accomplishments. I will share with you today.

Rube Goldberg is an adjective.

goldberg, rube

\'gold,berg \ adjective A comically involved, complicated invention, laboriously contrived to perform a simple operation
— Webster’s New World Dictionary

The adjective began with the man. Rube Goldberg was a man.

goldberg, rube

Rube Goldberg (1883–1970) was a Pulitzer Prize-winning American cartoonist, inventor, innovator, and the only person whose name is an adjective in Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary.

The man drew cartoons

The man's cartoons were comically involved, complicated inventions, laboriously contrived to perform a simple operation.

Image obtained from Wikimedia Commons: Rube Goldberg cartoon "If the Soap Falls Out of the Bathtub, Try This ..." and "Foolish Questions," on page 10 of the November 18, 1921 Duluth Herald.

The man inspired many

Contraptions that are comically involved, complicated inventions, laboriously contrived to perform a simple operation have been loved features of movies and videos. Here are a couple.

Band OK GO's Performance Video on YouTube

Zach's Contraptions analysis of Rube Goldberg contraption in The Goonies

The man inspired a competition

The Rube Goldberg Machine Contest originated at Purdue University in 1949 as a competition between Theta Tau and Triangle fraternities, and it was held annually until 1956. Phi chapter of Theta Tau revived the contest in 1983 as a competition open to all Purdue students.

The man continues to inspire many through the annual competition for youth

The Rube Goldberg Machine Contest is held annually. The current year's competition goals can be found at the competition site: http://rubegoldberg.org

The man's work inspires me, and I share it

Since 2013 I have hosted classes in Contraptions and Rube Goldberg competition prep. I have hosted a Rube Goldberg team, and a regional competition for Rube Goldberg.

In 2025 I will host our second regional competition for the Rube Goldberg competition. I encourage you to join us in-person or virtually for weekly meetings until March 14, 2025.

Our competition will be held on March 16, 2025.

Please refer to the competition website http://rubegoldberg.org for information on how to register for the Rube Goldberg competition, and to the http://makersville.net website for information on our virtual and in-person support in the LA Area.

If you are interested in setting up a team join our weekly meetings: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/g...

and participating in our regional competition, please contact me. Trish Tsoiasue Patricia@makersvilleservices.org