Akron Childrens Hospital Ball Machine

This is one of those places that I hope you never have to be, unless you work there, and God bless you if you do. Within the main atrium of Children's Hospital in Akron, is this George Rhoads creation. Called the Incrediball Circus II, it gives a moment's diversion from the reason that you may have to be there.
This is one of many audiokinetic ball sculptures Rhoads created for airports, hospitals, museums, shopping centers and other public places. Recently he began having a private company build his designs.
Audiokinetic is a fancy word for sound and motion. 40 solid nylon balls interacting with gongs, chimes, wooden blocks, and xylophone-type objects create the sound in this contraption. Spirals, a Ferris wheel, 200 feet of track, and a triple chaos pendulum are just some of the motion features.
Well worth a visit, as a distraction, or as a destination.
(Part of History of Akron & Summit County, akronhistory.org facebook)

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Childrens Hospital
• Ball Machine
• Audiokinetic

[taylor00miokovic]

Your absolutely right its one of places you never want to be , but if u have to expierence if having to go back and fourth here its one of the most emoitinal expierences ever. Ever time I would go up the elevators to the surgery center this always put a smile on face. Akron Childrens its amazing and knows how to take care of kids. I absolutely love the nurses there.! I never rlly got a real good chance to look at this only through the elevator so next time i go im going to have to rlly pay atte

[IMustBeEmo27]

I stood directly to the right of this with my mother 15 years ago when my brother was in the hospital. it makes me cry to see it now. i was 5 years old.

[1baddecepticon]

I remember seeing this in its entirety when my son had an operation at days old for his clubbed feet.. man the operation was hell on him tho I am hankful we were at the best childrens hospital I have ever seen, but the ball thing was awesome, you should have just picked one ball and followed it thru its 10 min trip thru the machine.. aswesome.