Awesome Rube Goldberg Machine Powered by a Single Beam of Light [Video]

The only reason I have any idea what a Rube Goldberg Machine is is because of that breakfast scene in "Pee Wee's Big Adventure"!

Japanese high-speed optical Internet service providers au Hikari have created a commercial illustrating "the power of optics" with a Rube Goldberg Machine that's powered by only a single beam of light.

Magnifying glasses, mirrors, and other reflective surfaces are used throughout the machine to burn through strings, pop balloons, and even melt ice!

According to the official Rube Goldberg website:

A Rube Goldberg Machine is an overly complex contraption, designed with humor and a narrative, to accomplish a simple task.

Registration for the annual international Rube Goldberg Machine Contest begins September 15. Middle school, high school, and college students are challenged to create the most elaborate and comical Rube Goldberg Machine to accomplish this years task of shining a shoe.

And if you're wondering how they did it, here's how!