Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff: Rube Goldberg
May 31, 2023
Dive into the whimsical world of Rube Goldberg and discover the cartoonist's unique journey from engineering to humor. Learn about his quirky inventions and the impact they've had on popular culture. Explore his artistic influence on other creators like R. Crumb, while also uncovering the comedic genius behind classic strips. The discussion also highlights memorable characters and satirical elements in Goldberg's work, showcasing how his creativity still resonates today.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Mousetrap Inspiration
- Josh Clark's first introduction to Rube Goldberg was the game Mousetrap.
- He views it as a direct adaptation of Goldberg's cartoons.
Goldbergian Adjective
- Rube Goldberg's name is uniquely listed as an adjective in Merriam-Webster.
- It describes unnecessarily complicated things, while other names become modified.
Engineer Turned Cartoonist
- Rube Goldberg, born Reuben Lucius Goldberg, was an engineer.
- He graduated from UC Berkeley but preferred cartooning.
