IDEO’s Global Chain Reaction Experience may just be the most impressive Rube Goldberg Machine built to date.
The chain, which fifty people put together across eight worldwide locations in six different time zones on three continents, contains everything from a flaming column of helium bubbles and a cell phone dialing hot dog to a poll dancing doll and a Tickle-Me Elmo, as well as everything in between.
All told, it lasts for more than 14 minutes, but it’s definitely worth the time if you’re a fan of weird and wacky chain reactions:
Here’s my prediction for the hottest new toy this holiday season: Storm Launcher by Spin Master Toys. I know, I know, TMX Tickle Me Elmos are already going on eBay for hundreds of dollars, but we’ve played that game years ago, and try as they might, the Tickle Me Elmo stampedes are a thing of the past in my book. The Storm Launcher is like every possible remote controlled vehicle rolled into one. It’s a car, it’s a boat, and a plane, all at the same time. Though it lacks wheels, a hull, or any discernable wings, it can cross any surface, including: grass, sand, concrete, water, air, and space (probably not space). If only Ford could make real vehicles that do all that, they’d be out of their financial quicksand. Don’t want to crash your brand new toy and burst it into flames on your first day of learning how to control the thing? Perfect, slide it into beginner mode and away you go. Itching to do some tricks and impress the neighbors? That’s what expert mode is for. Sounds pretty cool huh? I thought so too. Pick up a few and hit the eBay express, this thing’s gonna be hot.
