The young Rube Goldberg had known since the beginning that he wanted art to be his lifework, and he had both his heart and mind set on it. Despite his fervor, however, Rube was not able to pursue his interest right away, as this was not received well by his parents. It was specifically his father, who was then a San Francisco police and fire commissioner, who did not approve of it as a future career choice. His father was not set out on depriving Rube of satisfaction. He simply did not want his son to be a “struggling artist.” Max Goldberg wanted his son to become an engineer. Nonetheless, Rube was allowed to take art lessons when he was 11 years of age. Rube attended Lowell High School until he graduated in 1900. His father eventually succeeded in persuading Rube to take up engineering. He reasoned that many of the greatest artists, like da Vinci, had also trained in engineering. Thus, he went to the School of Mining Engineering in the University of California at Berkeley for his engineering studies. While engaged in the study of processes, structures, and systems, Rube did not forget his passion for the arts. He made cartoons and submitted it to The Pelican, a student publication. In 1904, Rube Goldberg earned his bachelor's degree in engineering.