Constructing the Ultimate Machine

The mathematician and engineer Claude Shannon kept a machine on his desk, which he called "The Ultimate Machine." As it turns out, there are a number of clever instantiations of Shannon's machine on the intertubes. Here are a few of the best ones.

The Classic Model. Large. Sumptuous. Classic.

The Elegant Two-Handed Version. Transparent so you can see the mechanism at work.

Lego Ultimate Machine. The ultimate application of your favorite building bricks.

Variant - The Unplugger. There seems to be a slippery slope from this to "The Exploder."

And now the craze over the Apple iUltimateMachine is just a matter of time. Not to mention the Ultimate iPhone App. You're welcome, Steve Jobs.