The Making of Studbert1. Learning From the Past 2. Forming a Strategy
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In 1998, Ballcano was MIT's 2.007 machine design challenge. The 2.007 contest has been an MIT Course 2 engineering tradition for several decades (formerly known as the 2.70 contest). A quite humorous and slightly painful account of one student's experience during the reign of Professor Blanco can be found in "The Idea Factor," of which only one decrepid copy can be found in the basement of MIT's Science and Humanities Library. (Which just goes to show the pivotal role Course 2 plays in deciding MIT censorship policies.) Victory in the Ballcano contest is determined by how well a machine and driver can score against its opponent on the Ballcano table. On the table, balls flow down a ramp and dribble across the middle of the table whereupon the machines vie for their entry into a designated pair of holes. A ball into the upper hole is awarded two points while a ball in the lower hole is awarded one measly point. Drivers get forty seconds to carry out their strategies and win! For full contest details, visit http://pergatory.mit.edu/2.007.
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