The concept was created by artist Clark Whittington after he watched a friend have a "Pavlovian reaction to the crinkle of cellophane. When Whittington's friend heard someone opening a snack, he had the uncontrollable urge to have one too."

Okay, that's weird, but remember he's an artist whose mind works differently. Just give the guy a genius award already.

Whittington modified his first machine back in 1997 for an art show in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. As the saying goes, the rest is history. Today there are more than 90 active machines around the world filled with tiny artworks by more than 400 artists. Check here to find out if there's one near you.