The Biggest Most-Complicated Way to Open a Book Machine

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How complicated could it really be to open a book? Let's just say we used no less than different 7 bowling balls...Featuring a giant Newton's Cradle, plus bowling balls traveling through a functional rotating 18ft water wheel, this machine pays tribute to all of the festivals & events Peddler's Village plays host to annually. All of this done with the incredibly simple task of opening a book.

Machine Task:  Open a Book to Celebrate Peddler's Village 50th Anniversary 

Step Count: 39

Machine Build Type: One-Take Style - filmed from start to finish in only one unedited clip. The machine was built as an outdoor exhibit, which functioned perfectly 9 out of 10 times over an incredible 3 month span!

Year Built: 2012

Additional Info: The included festivals were: Strawberry Festival; Apple Festival; Hanging Flower Basket Display; Scarecrow Display and Competition; Artwork Festival; Grand Illumination; Christmas Celebration; 5K Walk/Run Event; Quilt Competition and Display; January Sales Event; Sidewalk Sale; Celebration of Freedom; and Photo & Memories Competition. 

Beyond getting a bowling ball to roll not only in, but also out of a moving waterwheel - the biggest challenge faced was the reliability requirement set by the client. Typical machines have a success rate of 1-10% (I aim much higher at 80-90%)....this machine however needed to run: 

• Outdoors for 3 months
• Every 10 minutes for 8 hours, 6 days a week
• Be fully reset in 5 minutes
• Have a 90% reliability record

Tall order indeed, but it worked and successfully achieved the objectives! And I'll remind you again: all of that...just to open a book!