This guy invented a machine just for picking up ketchup blobs

Jeffrey Nelson is an engineer who, like everyone else on this predominantly blue planet, sometimes simply gets bored. Unlike most of us, however, Nelson takes the opportunity to build something. That something just so happens to be rather stupid (his words, not mine).

Introducing the Gooper Scooper:

Nelson describes his invention as a device “that can pick ketchup and other paste/gelatinous materials up, then place them elsewhere with minimal disturbance to their shape.” It’s not clear what other substances it works with, but we’re putting our money on mayo and mustard. In fact, the Gooper Scooper is probably a solid base for a future cleaning tool that works for all sorts of spills.

The video’s description explains why Nelson decided to build this incredibly specific machine: “It’s too wet and cold to play outside… time to make something stupid.” Despite the adjective used, the invention works brilliantly, and does exactly what it was designed to do.

Compare that to these ketchup robots:

It’s almost like these two were built for each other. I could have a lot of fun splashing ketchup all over the counter and floor, only to neatly clean it all up in a flash.

Nelson runs Macpod, a small company that “specializes in software, embedded software, electronics design, and small hardware prototyping.” In other words, he had the tools to build his invention just for fun.

You can check out his other projects in the following categories: software, electronics, and miscellaneous (that’s where the Gooper Scooper is placed).