What is a Rube Goldberg Machine?
A Rube Goldberg machine is a deliberately over-engineered machine that uses a chain reaction to complete a very simple task in the most complicated way possible. The expression is named after American cartoonist and inventor Rube Goldberg (1883–1970). His cartoons became well known for showing complicated devices that performed simple tasks.
Example of a Rube Goldberg machine
Why on earth would someone invent a complicated machine to accomplish a simple task, you might ask? Well, if you enjoyed the video below I hope you understand why...
World’s largest Rube Goldberg machine lights up Christmas tree
Guinness World Records uploaded a new video this week of the world’s largest Rube Goldberg machine. The machine has one simple task: Light up the Christmas tree for the people of Riga in Latvia. To make the act of switching on a Christmas tree even more exiting the machine uses a chain reaction which consisted of 412 individual mechanical steps.
The machine in Latvia successfully broke the previous record of 382 steps achieved in Hungary back in April 2015, according to Guiness World Records.
Click the image to play the video.
More info: guinnessworldrecords.com