3M's delightful Rube Goldberg machine

#1

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#2

Maybe it’s because I haven’t had my caffeine this morning, but how is the red ball staying on the jet of air? Isn’t it tilted too far?

#3

I’ve always thought it was just Bernoulli’s Principle (fast moving air creates a low pressure zone, this “pulls” the ball back toward the air stream), but it might also be the Coanda effect. I don’t know much about it but there’s a great video of it here (including tilted air stream): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR2Oi3XCX18

Either way, it’s a really cool demonstration since it creates a stable equilibrium with a sufficient air velocity and a light enough ball.

#4

Didn’t Rube Goldberg’s machines accomplish something, like pour coffee or put the cat out? This accomplished NOTHING! It’s a REQUIREMENT! This just made a mess. So sad.

#5

Then you’d love this.

#6

A wizard did it.

#7

Of course it did something! It presented you with an ad at the end :slight_smile:

#8

This is sadly true.

#9

So apparently I was the only one who thought that was awesome.

#10
  • You know his “machines” were cartoons, never implemented, and the only thing they did was “entertain” and “distract”, right?
  • Were you distracted for a few minutes?
  • Were you entertained?
  • Are you no fun at parties?

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#11

Also, Honda’s 2003 Accord commercial (there’s a making-of on YT, too):

#12

You can see it on Dailymotion, too. This one from the Science Museum really does accomplish something:

#13

No, really? Check yourself about being no fun.

#14

I’m not about fun, I’m about playing games according to the rules.

Check yourself about being no fun
#15

Poor Heath Robinson never gets any mentions.

#16

I can testify, OMike’s a stickler for the rules. [Except when he isn’t][1].

Strange broken linky action, here it is raw: https://bbs.boingboing.net/t/do-you-want-to-play-questions/54417/10887?

http://I%20can%20testify,%20OMike%27s%20a%20stickler%20for%20the%20rules,%20except%20when%20he%20isn%27t.

If you call me "Mike" I will cut you
#17

2 demerits for Bad HTML

I can testify, OMike's a stickler for the rules. <a href="http://I%20can%20testify,%20OMike%27s%20a%20stickler%20for%20the%20rules,%20except%20when%20he%20isn%27t." class="">Except when he isn't</a>.
#18

Whatever, I just made a link in the wysiwyg. Still I got you. :smile:

#19

#20

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