'Wallace and Gromit' gadget cooks full breakfast automatically

[snopes]

A contraption in the style of Wallace and Gromit has been built which cooks breakfast automatically, including an omelette, toast and freshly squeezed orange juice.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/news...matically.html

[snapdragonfly]

I liked Pee Wee's best.

[Aimee Evilpixie]

That article is useless without video.

[FullMetal]

Originally Posted by snapdragonfly

I liked Pee Wee's best.

I dunno Doc Brown's was pretty cool, i mean his fed Einstein too...

[Spud Sabre]

Greetings, snopesters.

Does any of you know what these contraptions are called? I know there's a word for these complicated machines that do simple things, but I can't remember.

[Magpye]

Originally Posted by Spud Sabre

Greetings, snopesters.

Does any of you know what these contraptions are called? I know there's a word for these complicated machines that do simple things, but I can't remember.

Rube Goldberg devices.

[Andrew of Ware]

Originally Posted by Spud Sabre

Greetings, snopesters.

Does any of you know what these contraptions are called? I know there's a word for these complicated machines that do simple things, but I can't remember.

Heath-Robinson. At least what these contraptions are called in the UK - after a cartoonist who invented incredibly complicated machines to do mundane tasks. Most of these machines have remained as drawings, but I believe some people have made - or try to make - some of them.

From the BBC History website.

The term 'Heath-Robinson contraption' came into official dictionary use in around 1912. However, the artist was not pleased to be pigeonholed as simply a cartoonist, particularly as this categorisation intensified in the public's mind - he took his other work just as seriously, and wanted to extend his repertoire further.

Here's his design for a machine to peel potatoes.

[Spud Sabre]

Originally Posted by Magpye

Rube Goldberg devices.

That's what I was trying to remember. Thank you