A Chaos Machine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaos_Machine) is a massive collection of tubes, tracks, motors and other widgets that can be used to move marbles around a layout that you build yourself. It’s a bit like Lego, only with marbles racing around. The main components of the machine are produced in kits from Chaos Toy (http://www.chaostoy.com/).
The machine is set up as a basic framework by the Machine Wranglers, then participants (Mechanics) begin to build tracks, install ball lifts, add stunts, and generally have a good time learning and problem-solving.
Over the years more sets have been added, so the machine grows larger with each appearance. Recently, an electronic network has been designed to add ball sensing and counting, event-controlled path switching, lighting effects, and additional sound effects.

More here: http://chaos.trader.name/

Last updated on June 8, 2012 by Maker Faire:NC