A Rube Goldberg machine is a deliberately over-engineered or overdone machine that performs a very simple task in a very complex fashion, usually including a chain reaction.
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How to make your own Rube Goldberg machine?
Step1. Choose your task.
It’s important to know your purpose of your Rube Goldberg machine. It is a very simple task and do make sure the task can be performed by unintelligent devices.
Step2. Decide how many steps you need.
For example, 100 steps, 1 minute and so on. In 2011 a Rube Goldberg machine called “Time Machine” broke the Guinness World Records, having 244 steps and taking half-and-two-minute’s time.
Step3. Decide a theme.
If you want more wholeness in your machine, you should give it a theme. Things like toy, vehicle, food, office can all be considered. Orientate your Rube Goldberg machine to a certain theme will also give you an idea about the setting of the steps and the selection of the materials.
Step4. Brainstorm.
Now you need inspiration! Rube Goldberg machine is born to be creative. Write down all of your ideas and thoughts. It’s a good way to train your brain by creating a Rube Goldberg machine.
Step5. Draw a draft.
Combine all the ideas you think are useful and draw a draft. Before assemble it, you should check your draft, making sure there is no error to the best of your ability.
Step6. Assemble the machine.
It would be great fun to put your idea into reality. Note that Rube Goldberg machines have a tendency to get very large, so do make sure your design maximizes vertical space or coils in on itself to keep it under control.
Step7. Test repeatedly.
The machine may fail at first, but don’t worry, it happens. Modify or even replace steps when they fail to make the machine run smoothly.
Step8. Decorate it.
Use paint, furniture polish, trim, or anything else that might enhance your design. Every Rube Goldberg machine is customisable!
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