Useless machines are a fun class of devices which typically turn themselves off once they are switched on, hence their name. Even though there’s no real point, they’re fun to build and to operate ...

Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. If you thought all of the world's most useless machines were found in the pages of SkyMall or on As Seen On TV infomercials, think again ...

All week long, our podcast Input/Output digs into the big ideas, fascinating personalities, and important stories from the pages of Input. You'll hear from the editors and writers behind the headlines ...

We all know what it means to procrastinate, but what about actively spending time building a useless machine? You have undoubtedly seen the ornamental boxes with a tempting little toggle switch on the ...

Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. The world’s most useless machine, which is essentially a small electronic box that turns itself off whenever you try to turn it on, ...