A simple dinner-time request to pass the wine has never looked so complicated. But that’s what the Joseph’s Machines YouTube channel is known for. Rube Goldberg devices delivering food and drink in a nonsensical way. In this case, the machine involves rolling batteries, live mice, a rubber chicken, and many, many other toys and props for pouring a glass of wine. It also uses multiple wine bottles and glasses, some of which shatter in the process. It’s nearly a four minute process, assuming the video is in real time. I would be upset if I asked someone to pass the wine and there was that kind of delay. Not to mention with the mess there is to clean up!
Who knew it took so many hammers to pass a bottle of wine? We’re hoping some of them are toys, since two hammers hit a person in the face along the way. There’s a very real saw used at one point. And these aren’t even the craziest things that happen.
We saw this video on Laughing Squid. If you’re into Rube Goldberg machines or just making things complicated that don’t need to be (and who isn’t really?), there’s lots of other great content from Joseph’s Machines. Like a pizza making device that uses a toy train and Ferris wheel. Or this machine that feeds you lunch at your desk so you can increase productivity at work. And if you like puzzles, there’s also a video that asks you to guess how each complicated machine will play out.
I would love to know how long it took to get this particular wine-passing Rube Goldberg machine right. And to see more bloopers when it went wrong! Those are available for the channel’s supporters and look very amusing, if potentially dangerous.
Melissa is Nerdist’s science & technology staff writer. She also moderates “science of” panels at conventions and co-hosts Star Warsologies, a podcast about science and Star Wars. Follow her on Twitter @melissatruth.
