Reuben Lucius Goldberg was an American cartoonist, sculptor, and author, born on July 4, 1883, in San Francisco, California. He is best known for his humorous illustrations of complex machines designed to perform simple tasks in overly complicated ways, now referred to as Rube Goldberg machines. His work often satirized the absurdity of modern technology and bureaucracy. Goldberg's career spanned several decades, during which he contributed to various newspapers and magazines. He won the Pulitzer Prize for his political cartooning in 1948. His legacy continues to influence art and engineering, inspiring creativity and innovation in both fields.