I didn’t write because in the corps I took mining engineering of all things and, you know, they, they graduate a mining engineer as a sort of an illiterate.

Meaning of the quote

Rube Goldberg, a famous American cartoonist, explains that he didn't become a writer because he studied mining engineering instead. He says that even though he graduated as a mining engineer, he was still considered almost illiterate, meaning he lacked basic reading and writing skills. This suggests that his education in a technical field like mining didn't prepare him well for a career in writing or other creative pursuits.

About Rube Goldberg

Rube Goldberg, a renowned American cartoonist, sculptor, author, engineer, and inventor, is best known for his complex and intricate machines that perform simple tasks in convoluted ways. He received numerous accolades, including a Pulitzer Prize and the Reuben Award, and his influence lives on through international Rube Goldberg Machine Contests.

More about the author

More quotes from Rube Goldberg

I didn’t have any real art training, but when I was about twelve nad thirteen, another boy and I went to a sign painter’s house every Friday night and took lessons.

Rube Goldberg

American cartoonist (1883-1970)

And during my college, at the end of the junior year I worked in a mine.

Rube Goldberg

American cartoonist (1883-1970)

Naturally, I’m conservative; I’m a Republican. I always was.

Rube Goldberg

American cartoonist (1883-1970)

And I, uh, I wonder how anybody can think his personality changes with his success. I’ve had quite a bit of success but I feel that I’m just the same person as I always was.

Rube Goldberg

American cartoonist (1883-1970)

Uh, I just had an operation last March which was rather serious and I’m recuperating now. I’m on a very bland diet. But, uh, I’m lucky, I was just lucky, that’s all.

Rube Goldberg

American cartoonist (1883-1970)

It just happened that the public happened to, uh, appreciate the satirical quality of these crazy things.

Rube Goldberg

American cartoonist (1883-1970)

And, uh, I’ve got about six thousand cartoons up there, also books and papers.

Rube Goldberg

American cartoonist (1883-1970)

I didn’t write because in the corps I took mining engineering of all things and, you know, they, they graduate a mining engineer as a sort of an illiterate.

Rube Goldberg

American cartoonist (1883-1970)

And, uh, I did that, and there was nothing more ridiculous to me than finding the weight of the earth because I didn’t care how much the earth weighed.

Rube Goldberg

American cartoonist (1883-1970)

Yeah, yeah. I, I don’t think I’m always right. But I don’t think young people are always right, either.

Rube Goldberg

American cartoonist (1883-1970)

And uh, I’m glad that I still have my hands and my eyes to work with.

Rube Goldberg

American cartoonist (1883-1970)

I, I don’t think anybody’s continually happy, uh, except idiots, you know. You know, you have to have little moments of depression.

Rube Goldberg

American cartoonist (1883-1970)

When I did sports cartoons, I used to uh, go to fights.

Rube Goldberg

American cartoonist (1883-1970)