I don’t know what it is about Rube Goldberg machines, but when we unveiled one at 3M headquarters recently, the room went completely silent – then erupted in applause and cheers when the contraption finished its paces. You can see it in action by searching “3M Brand Machine” on YouTube.

We put Post-it Notes, welding helmets, reflective sheeting, steel, painter’s tape, a muffler and other assorted items to work to show – in an admittedly pretty cool way – what happens when you apply science to life. In this case, there were physics, thermodynamics, chemistry and energy at play, plus many of the 3M products that people around the world use every day.

We featured the machine during Action Day at 3M, part of our work with the Greater Twin Cities United Way. 3Mers came together for a whole host of activities, including preparing food for a youth organization and raising funds by playing human foosball (yes, really). Good things happen when you combine hard work and just plain fun.