From the archives: Why Knot? -- an insane Rube Goldberg neck tie machine

A post today on Boing Boing reminded me of this post from 2011. This kinetic sculpture by Seth Goldstein does not involve a person, no neck...just a robot and its knotted tie. I admire the dedication and considerable ingenuity!

Feeling inspired? Why not consider this outstanding book about Rube Goldberg and his overly-complex machines?

From the book description:

Not many of us make it into the dictionary as an adjective. But then again, Rube Goldberg was no ordinary noun. He was a cartoonist, humorist, sculptor, author, engineer, and inventor, and in a 72-year career he wrote and illustrated nearly 50,000 cartoons. Goldberg (1883–1970) was the most famous cartoonist of his time, best known for his comical inventions, which were syndicated in daily newspapers throughout the world. Author Jennifer George celebrates all aspects of her grandfather’s career, from his very first published drawings in his high school newspaper and college yearbook to his iconic inventions, his comic strips and advertising work, and his later sculpture and Pulitzer Prize–winning political cartoons. Also included are essays by noted comics historians, rare photographs, letters, memorabilia, and patents, many reproduced here for the first time. Brilliantly designed and packaged to capture the inventiveness of Rube Goldberg’s work, The Art of Rube Goldberg is a coffee table book the whole family can enjoy.

Here is where you can check out (and order) The Art of Rube Goldberg: (A) Inventive (B) Cartoon (C) Genius.

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