FEBRUARY 23, 1991

Rube Goldberg Contest Rules

Rube Goldberg was a cartoonist who was famous for his depiction of extremely complicated inventions to do simple tasks which employed intricate mechanical devices and outlandish, humorous components. current movies often depict devices designed in the same spirit such as those seen in Pee-Wee Herman's movies and the Back to the Future series. The aim of the contest is to design a mechanical device which accomplishes an easy task while
demonstrating the use of several principles of mechanical engineering in a fun and inventive way to feed the Rube face. Remember, Rube would never do it the straight forward, easy way. Where another component could be added, he would have done it. Where a common household item could be utilized such as old shoes or toilet plungers, he would have used it. Have fun in your endeavor!

1. The aim of the contest is to feed a ball (golf or Ping-Pong) to the Rube Goldberg face attached. The face as shown must be used but can be mounted in any way desired within the device. You have the choice of ball and must supply your own ball.
2. The device must not exceed 24" x 24" x 24".
3. The device must be self (utilizing stored energy such as wound up rubber band), human (such as cranked) or animal(such as gerbil) powered. No use of battery or other electrical generated power source will be allowed.
4. The ball must travel a total linear distance of at least 4 feet from the starting point to the point at which the ball leaves the device. The end of the device must be separated from Rube's mouth by at least 6 inches, i.e.; ball must leave device and shoot into Rube's mouth.
5. Devices must strive to demonstrate mechanical engineering principles and employ use of stored power sources. Examples of engineering principles to consider employing *include use of:

   Power Lever Pulley Wedge wheel and axle Screw Inclined planes

   Engineering Spring Gravity Inclined planes Water power Elastic bands Mousetraps

6. Devices must be capable of repeated demonstrations without long set-up times between trials.
7. Entries may be done by individuals or in teams. No limits exist in the number of teams which may compete from a school.
8. Entries must be original in design.
9. Entries must be accompanied by a diagram or description showing engineering principles utilized.
10. Judging will be based on the following criteria:
    • Complexity of design.
    • Imagination and humor of device.
    • Demonstration of engineering principles.
    • Accuracy and repeatability of feeding function.
11. Judging will involve a technical portion conducted by engineers and a public vote done by people visiting the displays.
12. Prizes to be awarded in each division.