Machine with Concrete - Arthur Ganson
What it is
Arthur Ganson's kinetic sculpture chains twelve 1:50 worm gear reductions so the final gear, embedded in concrete, would take over two trillion years to turn once.
Why Hacker News recommends it
Shared whenever gear reductions, exponential scaling or playful kinetic art come up.
- 2 people recommended it
- 2 different months
- 0 strong recommendations
- first 2015, last 2025
What HN commenters said
“I think this one is quite interesting”
Motor with reduction gears ending in concrete.
kybernetikos, 2018-10 · Recommendation · in “An artwork by Banksy shredded itself after selling for $1.3M at Sotheby’s”
“I quite like how a lot of his work seems to have a punchline to it.”
Playful kinetic sculpture with a punchline.
Doxin, 2025-07 · Recommendation · in “Different Clocks”
Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.
Topics: gear reduction, worm gears, exponentials, mit museum, art
Also recommended by the same people
explainerThe Gym of LifeNot Just Bikes · 4 HN recommenders · 2022–2026
documentarySpeedy Cutover Service, SXS switching cutover to ESS filmed live at Glendale CA central office, 1984AT&T Tech Channel · 2 HN recommenders · 2018–2025
lectureIn Search of TomorrowBerkeley Institute for Data Science (BIDS) · 9 HN recommenders · 2015–2018
talk10 Things I Regret About Node.js - Ryan Dahl - JSConf EUJSConf · 6 HN recommenders · 2018–2025
explainerAround The Corner - How Differential Steering Works (1937)US Auto Industry · 17 HN recommenders · 2013–2024
explainerDetergent packs are kinda wishy-washy (Dishwashers Explained)Technology Connections · 15 HN recommenders · 2021–2025
documentaryMechanical Computer (All Parts) - Basic Mechanisms In Fire Control ComputersExcelsior10000 · 13 HN recommenders · 2014–2025
explainerThe Antique Toaster that's Better than YoursTechnology Connections · 12 HN recommenders · 2019–2025