This story was in a Language Arts textbook in the mid 90s. Each page spread described a different imaginary, Rube Goldberg-esque, fantastical machine. In my memory of the illustrations, they were very surreal, beautiful and detailed, in the style of William Joyce or David Wiesner.
Stump the Bookseller
New format, same book stumper solving.
I wonder if it was one of the books illustrated by W Heath Robinson, the English equivalent of Rube Goldberg?
I had never heard of W Heath Robinson, what amazing work!!! The illustrated style of the book I remember is very different from this, though. Thanks so much, Kristen!