Rube Goldberg

Rube Goldberg was a prolific cartoonist known for his complex machines that perform simple tasks.

Cartoonist

July 4, 1883

December 07, 1970

87

Rube Goldberg was a prominent cartoonist, engineer, and inventor, widely recognized for his intricate machines designed to carry out straightforward tasks. His most famous creation, the “Rube Goldberg machine,” exemplifies this concept through a series of elaborate devices working together in a complex manner. In addition to these machines, Goldberg also produced political cartoons, comic strips, and book illustrations. As an early adopter of radio technology, he hosted a weekly radio show in the 1920s called “Rube Goldberg’s Scrapbook.” Today, he is remembered as a cultural icon and a forerunner of the “maker” movement.

Some of Rube Goldberg’s other notable accomplishments include:
1. Starting his career as a sports cartoonist in San Francisco before relocating to New York, where he became a successful syndicated cartoonist for the New York Evening Mail.
2. Gaining immense popularity for his machines, which led to him being dubbed the “father of invention” due to his intricate and humorous contraptions.
3. Hosting the weekly radio show “Rube Goldberg’s Scrapbook,” where he provided amusing commentary on current events and conducted skits and interviews with guests.
4. Using his cartoons to satirize America’s fascination with technology and its tendency to complicate our lives.
5. Leaving a lasting legacy that continues to influence how we perceive the world, with his work often utilized for educational and commercial purposes.

In conclusion, Rube Goldberg was a celebrated cartoonist, inventor, and engineer, renowned for his complex machines and satirical cartoons. Apart from creating the famous “Rube Goldberg machine,” he also hosted a radio show and produced political cartoons. His enduring legacy as a cultural icon and trailblazer of the “maker” movement remains influential today.