# Inequality-Exposing Machines This Device Recreates the Experience of Making Minimum Wage By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2015-08-31 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/making-minimum-wage References: [fastcoexist](http://www.fastcoexist.com/3050324/this-mind-numbing-machine-lets-you-experience-making-the-minimum-wage?partner=rss) & [blakefallconroy](http://blakefallconroy.com/18.html) Blake Fall-Conroy designed a machine that recreates the experience of making minimum wage. In many parts of the US, minimum wage is extremely difficult to live on. This device highlights the plight of low-wage workers by showing others what it is like to work hard for minimal compensation. The device is called the 'Minimum Wage Machine' and is designed to recreate the experience of making minimum wage. The machine allows users to [turn a crank](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dave-busters-human-crane) which will yield one penny every four seconds. The machine dispenses $8.75 each hour which is equivalent to the minimum wage in the state of New York. Those who use the machine are given a rough idea of what it is like to work for minimum wage in America. The machine ultimately helps to expose the plight of low-wage workers across the country. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.9/10 - Popularity: 82% | Activity: 87% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Inequality-exposing Machines:** More machines can be designed to expose the inequality in other industries such as healthcare, housing and education. - **Minimum Wage Sensitivity:** More businesses can be more sensitive to the minimum wage paid to employees, resulting in better employee satisfaction and productivity. - **Living Wage Campaigns:** Living wage campaigns may gain more attention, leading to more companies offering wages that meet basic needs and cost of living for employees. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Retail Industry:** Retailers can leverage similar devices to raise awareness on the plight of employees who operate under less than ideal working conditions. - **Hospitality Industry:** Similar machines can be used to highlight the working conditions of employees in the industry who often earn wages below the minimum wage. - **Fast-food Industry:** More machines can be used to highlight the long hours put in by fast-food industry employees who often earn low wages below the minimum wage. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Gamified Music-Making Machines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beat-machine.md) - [Human Claw Machines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/human-claw-machine.md) - [Job-Themed Obstacle Courses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jobstacle-course.md) - [Wealth Simulation Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spend-bill-gates-money.md) - [Kinetic Art Objects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/la-machine.md) - [Innovative Financial Visualization Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/financial-visualization-tool.md) - [Wealth Gap Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pie-society.md) - [Beer-Dispensing Guitar Machines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/slay-to-pay.md) - [AI-Driven Worker Advocacy Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/level-the-playing-field.md)