Marble Machine (music instrument using 2000 marbles

[HiFlyer 9,343]

A favorite of mine and a story.

In the port authority bus terminal for years there stood a Rube Goldberg machine that attracted teenaged me like a moth to a flame. When in the area, I almost always stopped by just to gape at it as I reimagined it dozens of different ways in my head, how I might change it, wondering if my changes could actually work.

That pleasant hum when you do complex math, or put your whole mind to a task that requires total concentration.

I imagine this gents mind must hum similarly, with the added satisfaction of a craftsman and musician who has actually managed to make his dreams come true.

Lucky (and creative) guy!

 

[Paul Deluca 164]

Cool!!!!!!! He combined old tech to create something contemporary.He can change the trip dog  configurations, and  compose a new tune on the main wheels.Old carousel organs,and barrel  organs are somewhat set up the same way.

Edited October 17, 2020 by Paul Deluca

[n4gix 4,947]

Perhaps the world's largest music box... 

[HiFlyer 9,343]

3 hours ago, n4gix said:

Perhaps the world's largest music box... 

The original sculpture/machine that caught my attention as a kid: Sparked a lifelong fascination with complicated gadgets! 🎶

Quote

People watching George Rhoads' rolling ball sculpture 42nd Street Ballroom (1983) in the North Wing of the Port Authority Bus Terminal in midtown Manhattan, New York City

(The little kid you see here in the video gaping is my spiritual stand-in)

 

Edited October 17, 2020 by HiFlyer

[n4gix 4,947]

Around ten years ago I recall watching a video of another "ball bearing driven music machine" but I cannot find it now. What made this one unique was that the ball bearings were launched from pneumatic tubes so precisely that they would reliably hit their targets. In action it looked like a giant popcorn machine with ball bearings shooting all over the place! 😍

Here is the new "X" model completed -- or at least until Martin decides to change it again! After all, take a look at how many ball bearings 'miss their targets and land on the floor!

https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2019/04/marble-machine-x/

[Matthew Kane 1,343]

I think he lost a few marbles towards the end 🤣