The Way Things Go

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The Way Things Go (German: Der Lauf der Dinge) is a film about a Heath Robinson-/Rube Goldberg-type machine. It was created in 1987 by the Swiss artist duo Peter Fischli and David Weiss. The machine is in a warehouse, about 100 feet long, and incorporates materials such as tires, trash bags, ladders, soap, oil drums, and gasoline. Fire and pyrotechnics are probably the most common elements used. The film is nearly 29 minutes, 45 seconds long, but much of that is waiting for something to burn, or slowly slide down a ramp.

According to Snopes, in May 2003, filmmakers Peter Fischli and David Weiss threatened legal action against Honda over similarities between the Cog commercial and The Way Things Go.[1]