Rube GoldbergRube Goldberg

A Look at an intriguing A Look at an intriguing man, his work, and man, his work, and

devices inspired by his devices inspired by his cartoons.cartoons.

Rueben Lucius GoldbergRueben Lucius Goldberg

Born in San Francisco in 1883 (died 1970)Born in San Francisco in 1883 (died 1970)Graduated from University of California at Graduated from University of California at Berkeley with a degree in EngineeringBerkeley with a degree in EngineeringWorked as a cartoonist (won Pulitzer Worked as a cartoonist (won Pulitzer Prize), also an author and a sculptorPrize), also an author and a sculptorFamous for cartoons that show simple Famous for cartoons that show simple tasks being done in a complex mannertasks being done in a complex manner

How to Keep Shop Windows CleanHow to Keep Shop Windows Clean

Description: Passing man Description: Passing man (A)(A) slips on banana peel slips on banana peel (B)(B) causing him causing him to fall on rake to fall on rake (C)(C).   As handle of rake rises it throws horseshoe .   As handle of rake rises it throws horseshoe (D)(D) onto rope onto rope (E)(E) which sags, thereby tilting sprinkling can which sags, thereby tilting sprinkling can (F)(F).  Water .  Water (G)(G) saturates mop saturates mop (H)(H).  Pickle terrier .  Pickle terrier (I)(I) thinks it is raining, gets up to thinks it is raining, gets up to run into house and upsets sign run into house and upsets sign (J)(J) throwing it against non-tipping throwing it against non-tipping cigar ash receiver cigar ash receiver (K)(K) which causes it to swing back and forth and which causes it to swing back and forth and swish the mop against window pane, wiping it clean.swish the mop against window pane, wiping it clean.If man breaks his neck by fall move away before cop arrives. If man breaks his neck by fall move away before cop arrives. Information gotten at Information gotten at www.rube-goldberg.comwww.rube-goldberg.com

Example CartoonsExample Cartoons

Each example consists of a cartoon with a Each example consists of a cartoon with a detailed description of the chain reaction detailed description of the chain reaction of events that complete the task at hand.of events that complete the task at hand.Cartoon 1 – How to Keep Shop Windows Cartoon 1 – How to Keep Shop Windows CleanCleanCartoon 2 – Keep the Boss from Knowing Cartoon 2 – Keep the Boss from Knowing You’re LateYou’re Late

Keep the Boss from Knowing You’reLate

Rube Goldberg DevicesRube Goldberg DevicesRube’s famous cartoons have inspired Rube’s famous cartoons have inspired inventors, students, and bored people to inventors, students, and bored people to create real devices similar to those shown create real devices similar to those shown in his cartoonsin his cartoonsA Rube Goldberg device performs a A Rube Goldberg device performs a simple task (like popping a balloon), but it simple task (like popping a balloon), but it does it in a round about, complex fashion.does it in a round about, complex fashion.

Example DevicesExample Devices

Honda ad: Honda ad: http://multimedia.honda-eu.com/accord/http://multimedia.honda-eu.com/accord/Some 8Some 8thth grade ideas: grade ideas: http://www.larkspurschools.org/hall/projecthttp://www.larkspurschools.org/hall/projects/rgoldberg/s/rgoldberg/

How to build your deviceHow to build your device

First decide on the purpose of your deviceFirst decide on the purpose of your deviceThen, think of different simple machines Then, think of different simple machines and steps that you want to include (i.e. and steps that you want to include (i.e. pendulum, funnel, pulley, spring, screw, pendulum, funnel, pulley, spring, screw, lever etc.)lever etc.)Make sure you can get the materials for Make sure you can get the materials for your steps!!your steps!!Design your device; then start building!Design your device; then start building!

A Group ExerciseA Group Exercise

With materials in the classroom each With materials in the classroom each group will be given the task to see how group will be given the task to see how they can make a pulley, a screw, a wedge, they can make a pulley, a screw, a wedge, an inclined plane, a wheel and axel and a an inclined plane, a wheel and axel and a lever.lever.