Generally, people tend to break down a big, difficult task into smaller, simpler ones and tackle them individually to achieve the ultimate goal.
However, there is a subset of individuals who prefer to complicate things - achieving a simple goal through a series of complex steps. This is where the Rube Goldberg Machine comes into play.
The name "Rube Goldberg Machine" may sound unfamiliar at first, but you've probably seen it in action: a small ball or object navigating through a series of contraptions to reach its final destination. These videos are characterized by their soothing nature, with each step executed perfectly and the contraptions intricately designed.
Recently, Domino World, Midea Air Conditioning, and Film Hurricane (all China) collaborated to create the world's largest household air-conditioning unit Rube Goldberg machine.
The machine, consisting of 68 air conditioning components and featuring over 70 steps, took more than a month to design and construct, with the goal of activating an air conditioner.
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"The Rube Goldberg Machine operates in a delicate balance, and we need to disrupt this balance through the interconnected mechanisms to allow the force to continue transmitting," explained Wang Lei, a member of Domino World.
"It's a very meticulous job. Each mechanism requires testing and adjustments down to the millimeter. Fortunately, Midea Air Conditioning's control of the quality of the detailed materials of its products has somewhat eased the burden of our measurements.
“One tiny mechanism took less than two seconds, but our team used over a dozen materials to test it repeatedly."
Domino World, founded by Mr. Ma Lihua, has over 10 years of experience and has broken six Guinness World Records titles.
When asked about the source of his passion for dominoes and Rube Goldberg Machines, Wang Lei mentioned witnessing Mr. Ma Lihua's focused and serene demeanor during a building activity, which deeply inspired him and fuelled his interest in the activity.
"It took us about 70 days from start to finish, during which we were solely focused on this project," Wang Lei said.
"To be honest, it wasn't smooth sailing at the beginning. When we disassembled the air conditioner to separate the components, we found only 46 usable parts. The inability to separate a significant portion of the parts greatly affected our morale."
"So, we printed out all the parts and enlarged them, sticking them around our office. For one-third of the project's duration, we were brainstorming how to connect them all," Wang Lei continued. "From 0 to 1, that was the hardest step."
Fortunately, their perseverance paid off, and the team successfully clinched their seventh Guinness World Records title. Moreover, they exceeded the required 50 steps by more than 20.
Expressing his joy after breaking the record, Wang Lei said: "This is my most satisfying, impressive, and challenging work to date."
When asked for advice for newcomers interested in dominoes or Rube Goldberg Machines, Wang Lei emphasized the importance of staying calm and giving oneself positive encouragement, as it helps solve many problems along the way.
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