Here's a Rube Goldberg for ya

[trekgeezer]

This is one of the most convoluted device I've ever seen.

http://www.chilloutzone.de/files/player.swf?b=10&l=197&u=ILLUMllSOOAvIF//P_LxP92A42lCHCeeWCejXnHAS/c

[ulthar]

Those are cool...engineering students often build them.  What I like about this one is the number of 'homemade' items in the mix.

One of the best I saw recorded, one that uses a lot of chemical reactions as well as simple mechanical processes was shown on the TV show "Alive From Off Center."  The particular clip is titled Der Lauf der Dinge.

Also, in deference to Scott's invention thread...note how many variations on the basic wheel are used in that set-up.   

[Jim H]

Nice, but too many edits.  Quite possibly it doesn't always work, just a guess.

[Doc Daneeka]

The trick is to make a Goldberg machine that will reset itself !

[Ed, Ego and Superego]

One word....wow! Ok thats threee, wait six.  OH no!!!
-Ed

[Allhallowsday]

Seen it.  Love it.  It's crazy.   
ps. I have a Rube Goldberg kit from the 60s, unbuilt...

[BoyScoutKevin]

I've seen this before, but it is always nice to see that my Slinky and Rubik's Cube will always have a purpose in my life.

Actually, there really is a Rube Goldberg contest out there. It is sponsored by the Theta Tau fraternity at Purdue University, and from the University's website, the contest is to "deisgn a machine that uses the most complex process to complete a simple task."
Last year's contest involved turning an orange into orange juice, and then pouring the juice from the pitcher into a glass, in twoenty or more steps.