"-No tension contact!"

May 11, 2011 9:30 AM

Claude Shannon and Marvin Minsky collaborated to create the concept of The Ultimate Machine, a device capable of shutting itself off after activation. Out of the numerous and often transparent homages to the invention, a new variant has emerged, with more rigorous defenses. [via]
posted by Smart Dalek (15 comments total)

Currently reading a book about (in part) Shannon, so was thinking about these this morning. Anyone have links to a simple-to-build version? (With lots of instruction?)
posted by inigo2 at 9:33 AM on May 11, 2011

inigo2: Here ya go.
posted by Smart Dalek at 9:38 AM on May 11, 2011

sick!
posted by cman at 10:07 AM on May 11, 2011

The very last thing it does, while not flashy, is my favorite. Game Over!
posted by ianhattwick at 10:29 AM on May 11, 2011 [1 favorite]

eponysterical?
posted by Lucubrator at 10:30 AM on May 11, 2011

I was hoping for something more pre-emptive. A first strike, so to speak.
posted by etc. at 10:38 AM on May 11, 2011 [1 favorite]

I built one of these that was much more effective. By leaving off the switch, I found I didn't even need the motor or hand to shut if back off.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 10:39 AM on May 11, 2011 [1 favorite]

The hard one, though, was the box that does nothing but turn itself on. You put a copy of Fine Woodworking magazine in the box and shut the lid. The lid is opaque, but you can distinctly hear the pages turning. Then the box starts to quiver and shake. Then the lid flies open and the magazine is spit back out. The lid slams shut. There's a quick puff of smoke, a sigh, and then stillness.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 10:46 AM on May 11, 2011 [3 favorites]

Hehehehehe.. I liked that. I wonder if it's programmed to allow, say, 100 switches before it goes....TOTALLY APESHIT.. and how you get the switch to come back!
posted by ReeMonster at 10:49 AM on May 11, 2011

But now it does stuff...
posted by Hicksu at 10:54 AM on May 11, 2011 [1 favorite]

What, no pepper spray?
posted by fredludd at 2:55 PM on May 11, 2011

Everyone has one of these-- their body.
posted by jamjam at 3:02 PM on May 11, 2011

I was looking at this the other day.

Here is the instructables to make one.

And here is a ready to assemble kit that has all the parts you need (based off the above design).

I can wait to build one so I can leave it on my coffee table to confuse friends when they are hanging out.
posted by mrzarquon at 4:57 PM on May 11, 2011

I would like to put this on an actual coffin.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 5:04 PM on May 11, 2011 [2 favorites]

That last video is awesome!
posted by intermod at 7:13 PM on May 11, 2011