Useless machine

A useless machine or useless box is a device whose only function is to turn itself off. The best-known useless machines are those inspired by Marvin Minsky's design, in which the device's sole function is to switch itself off by operating its own "off" switch. Such machines were popularised commercially in the 1960s, sold as an amusing engineering hack, or as a joke.

This article is about the device that switches itself off. For the mechanical cranked device, see do nothing machine.

More elaborate devices and some novelty toys, which have an obvious entertainment function, have been based on these simple useless machines.

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