The Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York isn’t exactly known as a cheerful place. But even in this depression-inducing gloom, there’s unexpectedly something uplifting: The ball machine “42nd Street Ballroom” by the artist George Rhoads.
George Rhoads (1926–2021) was a multifaceted artist renowned for his “audiokinetic” ball machine sculptures, which blend visual art, motion, and sound, captivating audiences worldwide in public spaces and private collections. Born in Evanston, Illinois, Rhoads displayed an early fascination with mechanics, dismantling clocks and crafting inventions like wooden calendar clocks and a Ferris wheel by age 10. Though disinterested in formal schooling, he excelled in art, studying at the Art Institute of Chicago and in Paris. His early career included painting expressionistic urban landscapes and trompe l’oeil, with works sold to notable figures like Laurence Tisch and Leonard Bernstein. Rhoads also made significant contributions to origami, developing the Blintz Bird Base.
Transitioning from painting, Rhoads explored kinetic art, creating toys like Cliff Hanger for Milton Bradley and pioneering ball machine sculptures. These evolved from hand-cranked, single-track designs to motor-driven, multi-story installations, such as the iconic *42nd Street Ballroom* (1981) at New York’s Port Authority Bus Terminal. His sculptures, celebrated for their whimsical mechanics and universal appeal, are displayed globally, from Japan to Chile. Rhoads collaborated with Robert McGuire for over 30 years and later with Creative Machines, which continues his legacy of crafting durable, engaging ball machines.
“With its unique and ingenious devices, 42nd Street Ballroom is truly a prize of its time. In 1983, the ball machine was installed in the lobby of the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City, welcoming travelers with its curious sounds and striking visuals. At that time, 42nd Street Ballroom was the largest and most complex sculpture Rhoads had created, and the piece ushered in a period of a prolific production of larger pieces. In 2014 Creative Machines restored the ball machine to its original pristine condition.
42nd Street Ballroom features over 15 devices that range in function from producing bell and chime sounds to ensuring the random movement of balls. 24 billiard balls roll through the track along 4 separate paths. The sculpture operates with a timer, but the new machine also features a push-button that allows visitors to activate the balls at any time. Through its time at the Port Authority, 42nd Street Ballroom has become a well-known attraction for visitors of the terminal and a classic example of Rhoads’ artwork.”
(source: Creative Machines)
George Rhoads: 42nd Street Ballroom / Port Authority Bus Terminal, New York. August 29, 2025.
