“The Art of Rube Goldberg”

Rube Goldberg (1883–1970) became synonymous with the idea of fixing a simply problem with convoluted means. His renderings of intricate machines took absurdly complicated paths to, say, closing a window or lighting a cigar. Reflecting his training as an engineer, as well as to his sideline as an actual inventor, these images took satirical aim at modern society, and its unshakable belief in progress. This exhibit takes stock of the man behind the meme with a selection of original drawings for cartoons that were widely syndicated in newspapers throughout the first half of the 20th century.