SINGAPORE : The Singapore Science Centre played host to 30 whimsical machines on Friday, as part of the inaugural Singapore Amazing Machine Competition, which will be held biennially.

The event was jointly organised by the Science Centre, DSO National Laboratories and the NUS High School of Mathematics and Science.

The satirical drawings of American engineer-turned-cartoonist Reuben Goldberg formed the basis of this year's challenge.

Mr Goldberg is famous for his drawings of machines that turn simple tasks into complicated procedures.

The task for the competition was to build a machine that could squeeze toothpaste onto a toothbrush, in as many steps as possible. More than 120 submissions from over 35 schools were fielded in the competition. But only 33 entries made it to the finals - with a chance to impress the judges.

Unity Primary School took first prize for its 'Toothpaste Producer' in the junior division, while Raffles Girls' School took the top prize in the senior division for its machine called 'Abstract'. - CNA/ms