Contraption Day - July 4

On this date in 1883 Rube Goldberg was born. Goldberg was best known for his cartoons of contraptions that used impractically complicated methods to perform relatively simple tasks, i.e. Rube Goldberg Machines. Though certainly not efficient, these contraptions were popular with the public, and are used today to demonstrate creativity, especially in kids.

Here's an original example of such a contraption from Goldberg himself, demonstrating a way to wipe your mouth with a napkin after consuming a spoonful of soup.

[[File:Self-operating napkin (Rube Goldberg cartoon with caption).jpg|Self-operating napkin (Rube Goldberg cartoon with caption)]]

Nowadays people don't just use them in cartoons but actually build these contraptions for recreation and contests.
jclarson from New Mexico, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons




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