Rube GoldbergRube Goldberg

Cartoonist, Sculptor, Author, Engineer, Inventor

1883 – 1970

Cartoonist, Sculptor, Author, Engineer, Inventor

1883 – 1970

Reuben Lucius Goldberg

Reuben Lucius Goldberg

Born July 4, 1883 in San Francisco, CA

Graduated from University of Calif. At Berkeley in 1904 w/degree in Mining

Hired by city of San Francisco as an engineer in the water department

Quits after 6 months to become a sports cartoonist

Drew cartoons for 5 newspapers

Born July 4, 1883 in San Francisco, CA

Graduated from University of Calif. At Berkeley in 1904 w/degree in Mining

Hired by city of San Francisco as an engineer in the water department

Quits after 6 months to become a sports cartoonist

Drew cartoons for 5 newspapers

Marries Irma Seeman in 1916 –has 2 sons

Becomes very popular for cartoons such as Mike and Ike, Boob McNutt, Lala Palooza and others

His character Professor Lucifer Gorgonzola Butts makes him very famous

Marries Irma Seeman in 1916 –has 2 sons

Becomes very popular for cartoons such as Mike and Ike, Boob McNutt, Lala Palooza and others

His character Professor Lucifer Gorgonzola Butts makes him very famous

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Professor Butts and the Self-Operating Napkin

The Napkin is activated when the Soup Spoon (A) is raised to mouth, pulling string (B) which jerks ladle (C) which throws cracker (D) past

parrot (E). Parrot jumps after cracker and perch (F) tilts, upsetting seeds (G) into pail (H). Extra weight in pail pulls cord (I), which opens and lights a cigar lighter (J), setting off a skyrocket (K) which causes sickle (L) to cut string (M) and allow the pendulum with the attached napkin to swing back

and forth, wiping chin.

Professor Butts and the Self-Operating Napkin

The Napkin is activated when the Soup Spoon (A) is raised to mouth, pulling string (B) which jerks ladle (C) which throws cracker (D) past

parrot (E). Parrot jumps after cracker and perch (F) tilts, upsetting seeds (G) into pail (H). Extra weight in pail pulls cord (I), which opens and lights a cigar lighter (J), setting off a skyrocket (K) which causes sickle (L) to cut string (M) and allow the pendulum with the attached napkin to swing back

and forth, wiping chin.

Among many ways he influened popular culture were the 1963 board game called “Mouse Trap” and a 1930 movie he wrote featuring his machines and starring the Three Stooges

Among many ways he influened popular culture were the 1963 board game called “Mouse Trap” and a 1930 movie he wrote featuring his machines and starring the Three Stooges

Founding member and 1st president of the National Cartoonists Society

Won the Pulitzer Prize in 1948 for his Political Cartoons

His work inspires international competitions in which participants invent a complex machine that performs a simple task

Founding member and 1st president of the National Cartoonists Society

Won the Pulitzer Prize in 1948 for his Political Cartoons

His work inspires international competitions in which participants invent a complex machine that performs a simple task

Rube Goldberg died on December 7, 1970 at the age of 87

Rube Goldberg died on December 7, 1970 at the age of 87