Rube Goldberg™: The World of Hilarious Invention! Exhibit is on display at the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention now through December 2024. Created by the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh in partnership with the Heirs of Rube Goldberg, the exhibition showcases Pulitzer Prize winning humorist and inventor Rube Goldberg’s iconic contraptions and celebrates his humorous storytelling and inventive cartoons.

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Child at play in the Rube Goldberg™: The World of Hilarious Invention! Exhibit (Photo: Business Wire)

Inspired by Rube’s original illustrations, the exhibit contains a collection of new 3D, life-size machines and hands-on, interactive components that connect Rube’s iconic cartoon contraptions to the way things work in the physical world. These experiences provide insight into the legacy of Rube Goldberg and how classic engineering principles can be reimagined as entry points for deeper exploration of STEAM concepts for 21st century learning.

Visitors can activate and create crazy chain-reaction contraptions that use everyday objects to complete simple tasks in the most overcomplicated, inefficient and hilarious ways possible! Rube Goldberg machines are many things, but they aren’t perfect. Find the fun in failure as you step into the role of illustrator, storyteller and inventor. You’ll find these things and more in the exhibit:

  • Move balls and ramps to trigger chain reaction machines in Wall Machines, then figure out how they work by resetting each part.
  • Be inspired by Rube Goldberg’s drawing techniques to create your own hilarious cartoon in the Art Studio and then see how it looks at the Revolvometer.
  • Pull ropes to start a series of musical chain reactions in the large-scale sound animation Music Machine.
  • Step into one of Rube's iconic wearables, “Self-Operating Napkin”®, for a one-of-a-kind photo op.

Rube Goldberg™: The World of Hilarious Invention! Exhibit is locally sponsored by Visit Gainesville, Alachua County, FL.

The Cade Museum is open Thursday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for children 5-17, $12.50 for college students and senior citizens; $3 for adults and free for children of families with SNAP benefits; free for members. For more information, please call (353) 371-8001 or visit www.cademuseum.org.

About the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention

The mission of the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention in Gainesville, Florida, is to transform communities by inspiring and equipping future inventors, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. Named after Mary Cade and her husband, Dr. James Robert Cade, the lead inventor of Gatorade, the project has been spearheaded by their daughter, Phoebe Cade Miles, and her husband, Richard Miles, since 2006. They encourage the development of innovation ecosystems through the Cade Prize for Inventivity, Cade's proprietary Innovation Education learning framework, and the 21,000-square-foot hands-on learning museum that promotes the development of an inventive mindset. The Cade believes every person should have access to the right to invent and innovate inherent in America’s DNA and works diligently in outreach efforts to bring this understanding to all, with an emphasis on the underserved.

About Rube Goldberg, Inc.

Rube Goldberg, Inc. is dedicated to keeping laughter and invention alive through the legacy of its namesake. Annual competitions, image licensing, merchandising, and museum and entertainment opportunities continue to grow and enhance the brand. At the helm is Rube’s granddaughter, Jennifer George, whose best-selling book on her grandfather, The Art of Rube Goldberg, is now in its fourth printing. RGI is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 dedicated to promoting STEM & STEAM education for students of all ages.

About Rube Goldberg

Rube Goldberg (1883-1970) was a Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist best known for his zany invention cartoons. He was born in San Francisco on the 4th of July, 1883 – and graduated from U. Cal Berkeley with a degree in engineering. His first job at the San Francisco Chronicle led to early success, but it wasn’t until he moved to NYC and began working for Hearst publications that he became a household name. Rube Goldberg is the only person ever to be listed in the Merriam Webster Dictionary as an adjective. It’s estimated that he did a staggering 50,000 cartoons in his lifetime.

About Children’s Museum Pittsburgh

Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is a place that provides innovative and inclusive museum experiences that inspire kindness, joy, creativity and curiosity for all learners. Our imaginative, open-ended exhibits and programs give families the opportunity to explore topics like art, making and social-emotional learning in ways that are authentic, meaningful, and most of all, fun!

Julie DeCarmine Director of Marketing jdecarmine@cademuseum.org