Apr 8 20082008 Rube Goldberg Machine Contest
The Rube Goldberg Machine Contest is held every year at Purdue and requires contestants to complete a simple task with a complex machine in 20 or more ridiculous steps. Last year's objective was to juice an orange into a pitcher and pour the juice into a cup. This year's was to build a hamburger with patty, two vegetables, and two condiments. For the third time in four years the Purdue Society of Professional Engineers took top honors. Coincidence? I think not. I have the feeling there's something fishy going on here. Let's review the evidence: The contest is held at Purdue. Purdue wins a lot. *puts feet on desk, lights pipe* I think my work here is done.
Another video about the winning team and machine after the jump.
Thanks to Brownie, who is delicious with a cold glass of milk, for the tip
Reader Comments
1. Boilermaker - April 8, 2008 11:07 AM
Perdue? Might want to fix that.
2. damn luddites - April 8, 2008 11:19 AM
wow, I was so focused on "juice an orange into a picture", I didn't even notice that it was held at a Cluck U.
3. lauren - April 8, 2008 11:24 AM
last time i checked i poured liquids into a pitcher
4. overtheb - April 8, 2008 11:25 AM
not only that, pour it into a "picture?" and if I'm not mistaken, quite a few different "Perdue" societies and associations participate in the contest. cool all the same.
5. MTK - April 8, 2008 11:59 AM
Man, I wish I could see that live. I love Rube Goldberg-like contraptions. Anybody ever see the Switzerland exhibit at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry? It's awesome. I have a question, though: Since when did engineering students start looking like frat boys? Or is that only at Purdue?
6. Scott - April 8, 2008 4:01 PM
I love the oven stuffer roaster.....Huh? What? Oh, nevermind.....
7. Nooken - April 8, 2008 4:35 PM
Who knew Andy Richter was an engineer on the side and like to judge contests. Good for you Andy!
8. UMMMM - April 8, 2008 5:18 PM
Completely non-racist observation:
Anyone else notice that the purdue engineering team builds an awesome precise complicated machine that works perfectly, but the "black engineers team" build a simple piece of crap that doesn't even work right?
Man this makes me hope my house wasn't designed by a black engineer, or my car, or my computer, or my coffee cup.
9. Matt - April 9, 2008 4:02 AM
I go to Ferris State our national championship wining Rube goldberg machine is insane in person