I’m a big fan of Rube Goldberg Machines. A Rube Goldberg Machine is a “deliberately over-engineered machine that performs a very simple task in a very complex fashion, usually including a chain reaction”. Of course this one also awakens my sense of collegiate pride, but this thing is honestly cool.

Usually, the end result of the machine is some sort of useful function, such as peeling an apple or something, but with as many steps as possible. This one doesn’t seem to perform a useful function, other than entertainment (and teaching!). This one embraces the entertainment aspect of these things, going through the entire history of the earth, from the big bang, to the extinction of the dinosaurs, Egyptians, Romans and knights, World War II, the space race, television, and finally takes us into the future to the end of the world (and even beyond that!), all in under 3 minutes!

So, without further ado, enjoy: