The Rube Goldberg Machine Contest is a contest in which students of all ages build

Rube Goldberg machine A Rube Goldberg machine, named after American cartoonist Rube Goldberg, is a chain reaction–type machine or contraption intentionally designed to perform a simple task in a comically overcomplicated way. Usually, these machines consist of a s ...

s to complete an everyday task in the style of American cartoonist

Rube Goldberg Reuben Garrett Lucius Goldberg (July 4, 1883 – December 7, 1970), better known as Rube Goldberg (), was an American cartoonist, sculptor, author, engineer, and inventor. Goldberg is best known for his popular cartoons depicting complicated ...

. The contest is held internationally and, after the Covid-19 pandemic, digitally. Live regional contests and local and regional winners are eligible and invited to compete in the national contest.

Judging

Teams of students arrive at the competition with a Rube Goldberg machine designed to accomplish the task of the year. Teams of students compete with machines designed to complete the same task under identical parameters. Each machine, depending on age level, must use anywhere from 10-75 steps and complete the task within two minutes. Prior to the 2015 contest, machines used up to 200 steps. Students typically choose a theme, often relating to popular films or historical periods. Scoring is based on reliability, task completion, most challenging transfers of energy, artistry, creativity, theme, teamwork, and the "Goldberg spirit" of humor. If the machine malfunctions, team members are permitted to manually guide it to the next step; a penalty is assessed for each intervention. Scoring is determined by a series of judges and referees.

History

The Rube Goldberg Machine Contest originated at

Purdue University Purdue University is a Public university#United States, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in West Lafayette, Indiana, United States, and the flagship campus of the Purdue University system. The university was founded ...

in 1949 as a competition between

Theta Tau Theta Tau () is a professional collegiate engineering fraternity. The fraternity has programs to promote the social, academic, and professional development of its members. Theta Tau is the oldest and largest professional engineering fraternity ...

and

Triangle A triangle is a polygon with three corners and three sides, one of the basic shapes in geometry. The corners, also called ''vertices'', are zero-dimensional points while the sides connecting them, also called ''edges'', are one-dimension ...

fraternities, and it was held annually until 1956. Phi chapter of Theta Tau revived the contest in 1983 as a competition open to all Purdue students. In 1989, the Theta Tau ''Rube Machine Contest'' became a national competition held at Purdue University in March each year with participation by winning entries from local competitions sponsored by Theta Tau chapters across the nation. In addition to the collegiate competition, a high school contest began in 1996. In 2013, the national collegiate contest moved from the Purdue campus to

COSI Columbus COSI (), officially the Center of Science and Industry, is a science museum and research center in Columbus, Ohio. COSI was opened to the public on 29 March 1964 and remained there for 35 years. In 1999, COSI was moved to a facility, designed ...

in Ohio. The national contest has gained much coverage by the press and television media. Past winners of the contest have made appearances on the Late Show with David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel Live!. The contest is hosted nationwide by Rube Goldberg Inc., a not for profit 501c3 founded by Rube's son,

George W. George George Warren George (''né'' Goldberg; February 8, 1920 – November 7, 2007) was an American theater, Broadway and film producer. His credits included the film '' My Dinner with Andre'' (1981) and several hit Broadway productions. Early li ...

, to manage the archiving, registrations, and trademarking of Rube Goldberg's work. The Machine Contest is the subject of the feature documentary Mousetrap to Mars. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 contest was held virtually, and the challenge was to drop a bar of soap into a hand. In 2022, the national contest director, Zach Umperovitch used his Rube Goldberg experience to break into the television world as the host for the Discovery series Crazy Contraptions.

International Influence

The Rube Goldberg Machine Contest has inspired many international competitions and spinoffs, particularly in Asia. The World Green Mech contest, based in Taiwan, invites high school winners of regional competitions to build the most creative, complex Rube Goldberg Machines possible. The Japanese educational television program ''

PythagoraSwitch is a 15-minute Japanese educational television program that has been aired by NHK since April 9, 2002. It encourages augmenting children's "way of thinking" under the supervision of and . A five-minute format called PythagoraSwitch Mini is also ...

'' features Rube Goldberg machines during each episode. A "Pythagorean device" is the Japanese colloquial equivalent to a Rube Goldberg machine. In 2024, teams from 14 different countries and 22 USA states participated in the Live and Online Rube Goldberg Machines competitions.

Past tasks

Past tasks have included: *2024 Put Toothpaste on a Toothbrush *2023 Build a

Lunchables Lunchables is an American brand of food and snacks manufactured by Kraft Heinz in Chicago, Illinois, and marketed under the Oscar Mayer brand. They were initially introduced in Seattle in 1988 before being released nationally in 1989. Many Lunchab ...

*2022 Open a book *2021 Shake and pour a box of Nerds *2020 Rube Goldberg Bar of Soap Video Challenge *2020 Turn off a light *2019 Put money in a piggy bank *2018 Pour a bowl of cereal *2017 Apply an adhesive bandage *2016 Open an umbrella *2015 Erase a chalkboard *2014 Zip a zipper *2013 Hammer a nail *2012 Inflate a balloon and pop it *2011 Watering a plant *2010 Dispense an appropriate amount of hand sanitizer into a hand *2009 Replace an incandescent light bulb with a more energy efficient light-emitting design *2008 Assemble a hamburger *2007 Squeeze the juice from an orange *2006 Shred five sheets of paper *2005 Change batteries and turn on a two-battery flashlight *2004 Select, mark and cast an election Ballot *2003 Select, crush and recycle and empty soft drink can *2002 Select, raise and wave a U.S. flag *2001 Select, clean and peel an apple *2000 Fill and seal a

time capsule A time capsule is a historic treasure trove, cache of goods or information, usually intended as a deliberate method of communication with future people, and to help future archaeologists, anthropologists, or historians. The preservation of holy ...

with 20th-century inventions *1999 Set a golf tee and tee up a golf ball *1998 Shut off an alarm clock *1997 Insert and then play a CD *1996 Put coins in a bank *1995 Turn on a radio *1994 Make a cup of coffee *1993 Screw a light bulb into a socket *1992 Unlock a lock *1991 Toast a slice of bread *1990 Put the lid on a Ball jar *1989 Sharpen a pencil *1988 Adhere a stamp to a letter *1987 Put Toothpaste on a Toothbrush *1986 *1985 *1984 Pour a cup of Pepsi *1983 Pour a cup of water

1989 contest

The 1989 national contest had the task of sharpening a pencil in more than 25 steps. The first national contest winners were from the School of Technology named Watch-N-Ponder, led by Jeff Cottingham. Their machine had as a theme a Distressed Purdue Student with a Broken Pencil about to take a test. Their machine completed the task in 37 steps which featured a large Panic Button- that started the machine, a Purdue Student, Purdue Pete dominos, Purdue Pete crushing the IU symbol, color changing water, a small truck loading dock, a plotter writing out "RUBE GOLDBERG" with a pencil, and finally Purdue Pete chopping down a tree which went into a Saw Mill to make a pencil for the Purdue Student. It was described by the Judges as having music, drama, and timely sound effects that made the audience cheer. The team made a video special for Newtons Apple show that year as well as a commercial for the United Way campaign. Kathleen Sullivan and Harry Smith interviewed Jeff Cottingham on Good Morning America, promoting Purdue, Theta Tau, the School of Technology, and the hard work by all the team members. University of Wisconsin and the University of Detroit were the two other competitors that year and finished second and third respectively.

1990 contest

The task for the 1990 national contest was to screw and seal the lid on a ball canning jar in 20 or more steps. The National Championship team, Team Technology, was from Purdue University and included Matt Garbarino, Todd Henry, Phil Santos, Dave Kovaleski, Jerri Keller and Bryan Sower. The theme for Team Technology's machine was "Having a Ball" and took a total of 42 steps to complete the required tasks.

2007 contest

The 2007 national contest had the task of juicing an orange into a pitcher and pouring the pitcher into a cup in 20 or more steps. It was won by a team from Ferris State University, located in Big Rapids, MI, with a toy factory themed machine. Purdue placed second with a James Bond-themed machine.

2008 contest

The 2008 national contest had the task of building a

hamburger A hamburger (or simply a burger) consists of fillings—usually a patty of ground meat, typically beef—placed inside a sliced bun or bread roll. The patties are often served with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, bacon, or chilis ...

with a meat patty, two

vegetable Vegetables are edible parts of plants that are consumed by humans or other animals as food. This original meaning is still commonly used, and is applied to plants collectively to refer to all edible plant matter, including edible flower, flo ...

s and two

condiment A condiment is a preparation that is added to food, typically after cooking, to enhance the Flavoring, flavour, to complement the dish or to impart a specific flavor. Such specific flavors generally add sweetness or pungency, or sharp or piquant ...

s in 20 or more steps. The winner for 2008 was the Purdue Society of Professional Engineers (PSPE) Rube Goldberg Team from Purdue University. This was their third win in the past four years. The team included 17 members from different fields of

engineering Engineering is the practice of using natural science, mathematics, and the engineering design process to Problem solving#Engineering, solve problems within technology, increase efficiency and productivity, and improve Systems engineering, s ...

and

aviation Aviation includes the activities surrounding mechanical flight and the aircraft industry. ''Aircraft'' include fixed-wing and rotary-wing types, morphable wings, wing-less lifting bodies, as well as lighter-than-air aircraft such as h ...

and was led by Captain Drew Wischer and by Assistant Captains, Zach Umperovitch and Greg Bauman.

Texas A&M University Texas A&M University (Texas A&M, A&M, TA&M, or TAMU) is a public university, public, Land-grant university, land-grant, research university in College Station, Texas, United States. It was founded in 1876 and became the flagship institution of ...

took 2nd at the competition and

University at Buffalo The State University of New York at Buffalo (commonly referred to as UB, University at Buffalo, and sometimes SUNY Buffalo) is a public university, public research university in Buffalo, New York, Buffalo and Amherst, New York, United States. ...

placed 3rd. Texas A&M was voted as the best overall machine but was not awarded first place because they did not have a complete flawless run. Other teams that competed included

Ferris State University Ferris State University (FSU or Ferris) is a public university with its main campus in Big Rapids, Michigan, United States. It was founded in 1884 as Big Rapids Industrial School by Woodbridge N. Ferris and became a public institution in 1950. ...

(2007 champions),

Big Rapids, Michigan Big Rapids is a city and the seat of government of Mecosta County, Michigan, United States. The population was 7,727 at the 2020 census, down from 10,601 in 2010. The city is surrounded by Big Rapids Charter Township but they are completely s ...

;

Michigan Technological University Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech, MTU, or simply Tech) is a public research university in Houghton, Michigan, United States. It was founded in 1885 as the Michigan Mining School, the first post-secondary institution in the Uppe ...

Houghton, Michigan Houghton (; ) is the largest city and county seat of Houghton County, Michigan, Houghton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Located on the Keweenaw Peninsula, Houghton is the largest city in the Copper Country region. It is the fifth-larges ...

;

Penn State Brandywine Penn State Brandywine is a commonwealth campus of the Pennsylvania State University located in Middletown Township, Pennsylvania, United States. The campus was formerly known as Penn State Delaware County. The campus has baccalaureate and as ...

Media, Pennsylvania Media is a borough (Pennsylvania), borough in and the county seat of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located about west of Philadelphia. It is part of the Delaware Valley, also known as the Philadelphia metropolitan area. ...

, and the

University of Texas at Austin The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin, UT, or Texas) is a public university, public research university in Austin, Texas, United States. Founded in 1883, it is the flagship institution of the University of Texas System. With 53,082 stud ...

2009 contest

The task for the 2009 contest was to "Replace an Incandescent Light Bulb with a More Energy Efficient Light Emitting Design" The team fielded by

St. Olaf College St. Olaf College is a private liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota, United States. It was founded in 1874 by a group of Norwegian-American pastors and farmers led by Pastor Bernt Julius Muus. The college is named after the King and th ...

won this competition.

2010 contest

The task for the 2010 contest was to "dispense an appropriate amount of

hand sanitizer Hand sanitizer (also known as hand antiseptic, hand disinfectant, hand rub, or handrub) is a liquid, gel, or foam used to kill viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms on the hands. It can also come in the form of a cream, spray, or wipe. W ...

into a hand." The winner was a team from the

University of Wisconsin–Stout The University of Wisconsin–Stout (UW–Stout or Stout) is a public university in Menomonie, Wisconsin, United States. The Institute of technology, polytechnic university of the University of Wisconsin System, it enrolls more than 6,900 stude ...

. Second place went to

and third went to

Pennsylvania State University The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU) is a Public university, public Commonwealth System of Higher Education, state-related Land-grant university, land-grant research university with campuses and facilities throughout Pennsyl ...

2011 contest

The task for the 2011 contest was to "Water a Plant". The National Contest was held at

on March 26, 2011 and had 11 teams in attendance. The 11 teams represented 10 states, 9 universities and 2 community colleges. The winner of the 2011 contest was the

University of Wisconsin-Stout A university () is an educational institution, institution of tertiary education and research which awards academic degrees in several Discipline (academia), academic disciplines. ''University'' is derived from the Latin phrase , which roughly ...

giving them back to back championships. Second place went to the

American Society of Mechanical Engineers The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is an American professional association that, in its own words, "promotes the art, science, and practice of multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences around the globe" via "continuing edu ...

from

Penn State University The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU) is a Public university, public Commonwealth System of Higher Education, state-related Land-grant university, land-grant research university with campuses and facilities throughout Pennsyl ...

and third place went to the Psi Beta chapter of

fraternity from

The University of Texas The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin, UT, or Texas) is a public university, public research university in Austin, Texas, United States. Founded in 1883, it is the flagship institution of the University of Texas System. With 53,082 stud ...

. Jennifer George, Legacy Director of Rube Goldberg, Inc and granddaughter of Rube Goldberg was also in attendance. Ms George also announced the task for the 2012 contest which will be to "Blow Up and Pop a Balloon" with the National Contest being held again at

in March 2012 The Purdue Society of Professional Engineers, set a new Guinness World Record for most steps in a

Rube Goldberg Machine A Rube Goldberg machine, named after American cartoonist Rube Goldberg, is a chain reaction–type machine or contraption intentionally designed to perform a simple task in a comically overcomplicated way. Usually, these machines consist of a s ...

with 244 steps shattering the previous record of 230.

2012 contest

The 2012 task was inflating and popping a balloon. St Olaf College defeated seven other universities to take the national title held at the contest held at Purdue University on March 31, 2012. These teams included University of Arizona, Texas A&M, University of Texas, Purdue University and Penn State. Purdue University placed second while winning the People's Choice Award for a 300-step machine that smashed its own Guinness World Record for the machine with the most steps. The final step, an accordion arm that popped the balloon, was named the most Rube-like step in the competition. Penn State claimed third place with their food-themed machine. First year team

University of Arizona The University of Arizona (Arizona, U of A, UArizona, or UA) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Tucson, Arizona, United States. Founded in 1885 by the 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature, it ...

and their bathroom-themed machine won the legacy award, given to the team whose machine best incorporates humor with critical thinking. Jennifer George, Legacy Director of Rube Goldberg, Inc and granddaughter of Rube Goldberg, once again announced the task for the 2013 contest which will be to "Hammer a Nail". The 2012 high school competition, which had the same task, saw 12 teams compete at

. First place went to Kimberly High School from

Kimberly, Wisconsin Kimberly is a village in Outagamie County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 7,320 at the 2020 census. The village is east of Appleton. It is a part of the Appleton, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area. History Kimberly was orig ...

. Second place went to Minooka Community High School from

Minooka, Illinois Minooka is a village (Illinois), village in Grundy County, Illinois, Grundy, Kendall County, Illinois, Kendall, and Will County, Illinois, Will counties, Illinois, United States. The population was 12,758 at the 2020 census, up from 10,924 at the ...

. Third went to Anderson High from

Anderson, Indiana Anderson is a city in and the county seat of Madison County, Indiana, United States. The population was 54,788 at the 2020 census. It is named after Chief William Anderson. The city is the headquarters of the Church of God and its Anderson ...

2013 contest

Hammer A hammer is a tool, most often a hand tool, consisting of a weighted "head" fixed to a long handle that is swung to deliver an impact to a small area of an object. This can be, for example, to drive nail (fastener), nails into wood, to sh ...

ing a

nail Nail or Nails may refer to: In biology * Nail (anatomy), toughened protective protein-keratin (known as alpha-keratin, also found in hair) at the end of an animal or human digit, such as fingernail * Nail (beak), a plate of hard horny tissue a ...

was the 2013 task. This was the first year that the contest was held outside of the Purdue campus; the event was held at

in Ohio.

Washington University in St. Louis Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) is a private research university in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1853 by a group of civic leaders and named for George Washington, the university spans 355 acres across its Danforth ...

took the first place prize, as well as the award for Best Single Step with their machine titled Rube's Office. Team members were Grace Kuo, Amy Patterson, Harison Wiesman and Alexa Lichtenstein.Lutz, Diana (2013
"Rube Goldberg Contest Winners"
''Washington Magazine''. Retrieved 2016-10-4.

2014 contest

The task for the 2014 competition was to zip a zipper. The competition was held at COSI in Columbus Ohio, as in 2013.

took first place in the competition with a childhood themed machine. Their controversial final step involved zipping the jacket zipper of a human standing in the machine, which arguably broke with the competition rule prohibiting the use of live animals in the machine.

took second place, as well as the prizes for People's Choice and Best Single Step with their machine themed "Going Green".Lutz, Diana (2014
"WUSTL team wins People’s Choice Award at 2014 Rube Goldberg"
''The Source''. Retrieved 2016-10-4.

National collegiate contest winners

National High School Winners 2009 second place—Cornerstone Christian Homeschoolers, Campaign Il

References

External links

Purdue University News Service *{{usurped,
Rube Goldberg, Inc.
} Competitions in the United States Purdue University Rube Goldberg