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.
I’ve included this post in the latest Philosophers’ Carnival. I hope that’s ok!