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{{Use British English|date=May 2014}}

[[File:WaterScrewPerpetualMotion.png|thumb|An engraving of [[Robert Fludd]]'s 1618 "water screw" perpetual motion machine.]]
The history of [[perpetual motion]] machines dates at least back to the [[Middle Ages]]. For millennia, it was not clear whether perpetual motion devices were possible or not, but modern theories of [[thermodynamics]] have shown that they are impossible. Despite this, many attempts have been made to construct such machines, continuing into modern times. Modern designers and proponents sometimes use other terms, such as "overunity", to describe their inventions. 

== History ==
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;Kinds of perpetual motion machines
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File:Perpetuum mobile villard de honnecourt.jpg|Perpetuum Mobile of [[Villard de Honnecourt]] (about 1230)
File:Taccola overbalanced wheel.jpg|15th-century wheel by [[Taccola]]
File:Orffyreus Das Mersseburgische Perpetuum Mobile.jpg|Orffyreus' Mersseburgische Perpetuum Mobile
File:Boyle'sSelfFlowingFlask.png|Boyle's perpetual motion scheme
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There are two types of perpetual motion machines:
* ''Perpetual motion machines of the first kind'' are those devices that violate the [[first law of thermodynamics]], the principle of conservation of energy, creating energy out of nothing. Most attempts fall into this category.
* ''Perpetual motion machines of the second kind'' are devices that violate the [[second law of thermodynamics]]. Even though they obey the principle of conservation of energy, they attempt extraction of work from a single heat reservoir, violating the principle of no [[entropy]] decrease in an isolated macroscopic thermodynamic system.
{{details|Perpetual motion classification}}
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=== Pre-19th century ===
There are some unsourced claims<ref>[[Mark Eberhart]] (2007):''Feeding the fire: the lost history and uncertain future of mankind's energy'', p.14</ref> that a perpetual motion machine called the "magic wheel" (a wheel spinning on its axle powered by lodestones) appeared in 8th-century [[Bavaria]]. This historical claim appears to be unsubstantiated though often repeated.

Early designs of perpetual motion machines were done by Indian [[Indian mathematics|mathematician]]–[[Indian astronomy|astronomer]] [[Bhāskara II|Bhaskara II]], who described a wheel ([[Bhāskara's wheel]]) that he claimed would run forever.<ref name="Lynn Townsend White 1960 p. 522-526">[[Lynn Townsend White, Jr.]] (April 1960). "Tibet, India, and Malaya as Sources of Western Medieval Technology", ''The American Historical Review'' '''65''' (3), p. 522-526.</ref>

A drawing of a perpetual motion machine appeared in the sketchbook of [[Villard de Honnecourt]], a 13th-century French master [[stonemason|mason]] and architect. The sketchbook was concerned with [[mechanics]] and [[architecture]]. Following the example of Villard, [[Peter of Maricourt]] designed a magnetic globe which, if it were mounted without friction parallel to the celestial axis, would rotate once a day. It was intended to serve as an automatic [[armillary sphere]].<ref name="Lynn Townsend White 1960 p. 522-526" />

[[Leonardo da Vinci]] made a number of drawings of devices he hoped would make free [[energy]]. Leonardo da Vinci was generally against such devices, but drew and examined numerous overbalanced wheels.<ref>Time-Life Books (1991). ''Inventive Genius''. 143 pages. Page 125. {{ISBN|0-8094-7699-1}}</ref><ref>Philip J. Mirowski, (1991). ''More Heat Than Light: Economics As Social Physics: Physics As Nature's Economics'' 462 pages. Page 15.</ref>

Mark Anthony Zimara, a 16th-century Italian scholar, proposed a self-blowing windmill.<ref>{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=022yYXnS_GQC&q=%22Directions+for+constructing+a+Perpetual+Motion+Machine+without+the+Use+of+Water+or+a+Weight%22&pg=PA43 |title=Perpetual Motion: The History of an Obsession |first=Arthur W. J. G. |last=Ord-Hume |publisher=St. Martin's Press|location=New York|year=1977|pages=41–44 |isbn=978-0-312-60131-7 |access-date=March 12, 2011}}</ref>

Various scholars in this period investigated the topic. In 1607 [[Cornelius Drebbel]] in "Wonder-vondt van de eeuwighe bewegingh" dedicated a perpetual motion machine to [[James I of England]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.drebbel.net/Wondervondt.pdf |title=Wonder-vondt van de eeuwighe bewegingh |access-date=2013-03-04}}</ref> It was described by Heinrich Hiesserle von Chodaw in 1621.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.drebbel.net/1621%20PPM.pdf |title=Copy and transcript of an article concerning Cornelis Drebbel's Perpetuum Mobile by Francis Franck |access-date=2012-03-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310193332/http://www.drebbel.net/1621%20PPM.pdf |archive-date=2012-03-10 }}</ref> [[Robert Boyle]] devised the "perpetual vase" ("perpetual goblet" or "hydrostatic paradox") which was discussed by [[Denis Papin]] in the ''[[Philosophical Transactions]]'' for 1685.<ref name=EB1911>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle=Perpetual Motion |volume=21 |pages=180–182 |first=George |last=Chrystal}}</ref><ref>[[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]], [https://web.archive.org/web/20030827232844/http://web.mit.edu/invent/iow/pascal.html "Inventor of the Week Archive: Pascal : Mechanical Calculator"], May 2003. "Pascal worked on many versions of the devices, leading to his attempt to create a perpetual motion machine. He has been credited with introducing the roulette machine, which was a by-product of these experiments."</ref> [[Johann Bernoulli]] proposed a fluid energy machine. In 1686, [[Georg Andreas Böckler]], designed a "self operating" self-powered [[water mill]] and several perpetual motion machines using balls using variants of [[Archimedes' screw]]s. In 1712, [[Johann Bessler]] ([[Orffyreus]]), claimed to have experimented with 300 different perpetual motion models before developing what he said were working models.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Simaneck |first1=Donald E. |title=Perpetual Futility |url=https://www.lockhaven.edu/~dsimanek/museum/people/people.htm |website=lockhaven.edu |access-date=1 August 2018 |archive-date=2 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202094814/https://lockhaven.edu/~dsimanek/museum/people/people.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In the 1760s, [[James Cox (inventor)|James Cox]] and [[John Joseph Merlin]] developed [[Cox's timepiece]].<ref>Ord-Hume, Arthur W. J. G. Perpetual Motion: The History of an Obsession. St. Martin's Press. {{ISBN|0-312-60131-X}}.</ref> Cox claimed that the timepiece was a true perpetual motion machine, but as the device is powered by changes in [[atmospheric pressure]] via a [[mercury barometer]], this is not the case.

In 1775, the [[French Academy of Sciences|Royal Academy of Sciences in Paris]] made the statement that the Academy "will no longer accept or deal with proposals concerning perpetual motion."<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Scaffer |first1=Simon |title=The Show That Never Ends: Perpetual Motion in the Early Eighteenth Century |journal=The British Journal for the History of Science |date=June 1995 |volume=28 |issue=2 |pages=157–189 |jstor=4027676 |doi=10.1017/S0007087400032957 |s2cid=146549874 }}</ref>

=== Industrial Revolution ===

==== 19th century ====
In 1812, [[Charles Redheffer]], in [[Philadelphia]], claimed to have developed a "generator" that could power other machines. The machine was open for viewing in Philadelphia, where Redheffer raised large amount of money from the admission fee.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2003/nov/13/research.highereducation2|title=Too good to be true|last=Radford|first=Tim|date=2003-11-13|website=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-09-09}}</ref> Redheffer moved his machine to New York, after his cover was blown in Philadelphia, while applying for government funding.<ref>Hicks, Clifford B. (April 1961). "Why won't they work?". ''[[American Heritage (magazine)|American Heritage Magazine]]''. American Heritage Publishing Company. Retrieved 28 August 2009.</ref> It was there that [[Robert Fulton]] exposed Redheffer's schemes during an exposition of the device in New York City (1813). Removing some concealing wooden strips, Fulton found a [[catgut]] belt drive went through a wall to an attic. In the attic, a man was turning a crank to power the device.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/redheffer.html|title=This page has moved|website=www.museumofhoaxes.com|access-date=11 April 2018}}</ref><ref>Information originally at www.skepticfiles.org/skep2/pmotion2.htm</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi438.htm|title=No. 438: Redheffer's PMM-I|website=www.uh.edu|access-date=11 April 2018}}</ref>

In 1827, [[Sir William Congreve, 2nd Baronet]] devised a machine running on [[capillary action]]<ref name="EB1911" /> that would disobey the principle that water seeks its own level, so to produce a continuous ascent and overflow. The device had an inclined plane over pulleys.<ref name="EB1911" /> At the top and bottom, there travelled an endless band of sponge, a bed and, over this, again an endless band of heavy weights jointed together.<ref name="EB1911" /> The whole stood over the surface of still water.<ref name="EB1911" /> Congreve believed his system would operate continuously.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Perpetual Motion |journal=Scientific American |volume=105 |issue=21 |pages=452–453 |doi=10.1038/scientificamerican11181911-452 |year=1911 |bibcode=1911SciAm.105..452. }}</ref>

In 1868, an Austrian, Alois Drasch, received a US patent for a machine that possessed a "thrust key-type [[gear]]ing" of a [[rotary engine]]. The vehicle driver could tilt a trough depending upon need. A heavy ball rolled in a cylindrical trough downward, and, with continuous adjustment of the device's levers and power output, Drasch believed that it would be possible to power a vehicle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hp-gramatke.de/pmm_physics/german/page0300.htm|title=HPs Perpetuum Mobile Physik. Die Geschichte der schiefen Ebene und ihrer Verwendung in perpetua Mobilia.|website=www.hp-gramatke.de|access-date=11 April 2018}}</ref>

In 1870, E.P. Willis of New Haven, Connecticut made money from a "proprietary" perpetual motion machine. A story of the overcomplicated device with a hidden source of energy appears in the ''[[Scientific American]]'' article "The Greatest Discovery Ever Yet Made". Investigation into the device eventually found a source of power that drove it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.genealogyimagesofhistory.com/images/amotion.JPG|title=Image of Scientific American|website=genealogyimagesofhistory.com|access-date=11 April 2018}}</ref>

[[John Ernst Worrell Keely]] claimed the invention of an induction resonance motion motor. He explained that he used "etheric technology". In 1872, Keely announced that he had discovered a principle for power production based on the vibrations of [[tuning fork]]s. Scientists investigated his machine which appeared to run on water, though Keely endeavoured to avoid this. Shortly after 1872, [[venture capitalist]]s accused Keely of fraud (they lost nearly five million dollars). Keely's machine, it was discovered after his death, was based on hidden air pressure tubes.<ref>{{Citation | title = Keely's Secret Disclosed.; Scientists Examine His Laboratory and Discover Hidden Tubes in Proof of His Deception. | newspaper = [[New York Times]] | date = 20 January 1899 | url = https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1899/01/20/102408633.pdf }}</ref>

==== 1900 to 1950 ====
In 1900, [[Nikola Tesla]] claimed to have discovered an abstract principle on which to base a perpetual motion machine of the [[Perpetual motion classification#Classification|second kind]]. No prototype was produced. He wrote:<ref name="Tesla 2018 p. ">{{cite book | last=Tesla | first=N. | title=The Problem of Increasing Human Energy: with Special References to the Harnessing of the Sun's Energy | publisher=Charles River Editors | year=2018 | isbn=978-1-5080-1717-2 | url=https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-problem-of-increasing-human-energy-9 | access-date=2 April 2020 }}</ref>{{cquote|A departure from known methods – possibility of a "self-acting" engine or machine, inanimate, yet capable, like a living being, of deriving energy from the medium – the ideal way of obtaining motive power.}}

[[David Unaipon]], Australian inventor, had a lifelong fascination with perpetual motion. One of his studies on Newtonian mechanics led him to create a [[Sheep shearing|shearing]] machine in 1910 that converted curvilineal motion into straight line movement. The device is the basis of modern mechanical shears.<ref>Graham Jenkin, ''Conquest of the Ngarrindjeri'' (1979), pp. 234-236, {{ISBN|0-7270-1112-X}}</ref>

In the 1910s and 1920s, Harry Perrigo of Kansas City, Missouri, a graduate of [[MIT]], claimed development of a free energy device.<ref>[http://www.kclibrary.org/localhistory/list.cfm?list=sub&SubjectareaID=77176 Harry E. Perrigo] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008094240/http://www.kclibrary.org/localhistory/list.cfm?list=sub&SubjectareaID=77176 |date=2007-10-08 }}, a vertical file at the [http://www.kclibrary.org/ Kansas City Public Library] in [[Kansas City, Missouri]], described as follows: "Photos, illustrations, and information on Harry Perrigo, a local inventor of a "free energy" device in the 1910s-1920s turning out to be a hoax. Energy source of "invention" supposedly "from thin air" or from "ether waves" but in actually from a hidden battery."</ref> Perrigo claimed the energy source was "from thin air" or from aether waves. He demonstrated the device before the Congress of the United States on December 15, 1917. Perrigo had a pending application<ref>filed December 31, 1925; Serial Number 78,719</ref> for the "Improvement in Method and Apparatus for Accumulating and Transforming Ether Electric Energy". Investigators report that his device contained a hidden motor battery.<ref>Citations originally at www.kclibrary.org resources Subject area ID 77176</ref>

[[File:Perpetual Motion by Norman Rockwell.jpg|thumb|222px|Cover of the October 1920 issue of ''Popular Science'' magazine]]
''[[Popular Science]]'', in the October 1920 issue, published an article on the lure of perpetual motion.<ref>Phillip Rowland. [https://books.google.com/books?id=pykDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA26 "The undying lure of perpetual motion"]. ''Popular Science'', October 1920.</ref>

=== Modern era ===

==== 1951 to 1980 ====


In 1966, [[Josef Papp]] (sometimes referred to as Joseph Papp or Joseph Papf) supposedly developed an alternative [[car engine]] that used [[noble gas|inert gases]]. He gained a few investors but when the engine was publicly demonstrated, an explosion killed one of the observers and injured two others. Papp blamed the accident on interference by physicist [[Richard Feynman]], who later shared his observations in an article in ''Laser'', the journal of the Southern Californian Skeptics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/comments/papparticle2.html|title=Feynman on Papp|website=www.museumofhoaxes.com|access-date=11 April 2018}}</ref> Papp continued to accept money but never demonstrated another engine.

On December 20 of 1977, Emil T. Hartman received {{US patent|4215330}} titled "Permanent magnet propulsion system". This device is related to the [[Simple Magnetic Overunity Toy]] (SMOT).

[[File:Testatika-Line.png|thumb|222px|right|Thesta-Distatica<ref name="NS170" /> electrical circuit as explained in Potter's "[[Methernitha]] Back-Engineered"<ref>[http://www.rexresearch.com/testatik/testart.htm#potbakeng "Back-Engineered Testatika"] by Paul E. Potter</ref> article.]]
Paul Baumann, a German engineer, developed a machine referred to as the "Testatika"<ref>Jeane Manning, The coming energy revolution. Reviews Avery Pub. Group, April 1, 1996. Page 141.</ref> and known as the "Swiss M-L converter"<ref>Matthey, PH (1985), "The Swiss ML Converter – A Masterpiece of Craftsmanship and Electronic Engineering"</ref> or "Thesta-Distatica".<ref name="NS170">New scientist, Volume 170, Issues 2286-2291. Page 48.</ref>

[[Guido Franch]] reportedly had a process of [[Alchemy|transmuting]] water molecules into high-[[octane]] [[gasoline]] compounds (named [[Mota fuel]]) that would reduce the price of gasoline to 8 cents per gallon. This process involved a green [[Powder (substance)|powder]] (this claim may be related to the similar ones of John Andrews (1917)). He was brought to court for [[fraud]] in 1954 and [[acquittal|acquitted]], but in 1973 was convicted. [[Judge|Justice]] William Bauer and Justice Philip Romiti both observed a demonstration in the 1954 case.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_399.html|title=Is there a pill that can turn water into gasoline?|date=14 December 1984|website=straightdope.com|access-date=11 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412082859/https://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/589/is-there-a-pill-that-can-turn-water-into-gasoline/ |archive-date=12 April 2018}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=February 2024}}

In 1958, [[Otis T. Carr]] from [[Oklahoma]] formed a company to manufacture [[unidentified flying object|UFO]]-styled [[spacecraft|spaceships]] and [[hovercraft]]. Carr sold [[stock]] for this [[Commerce|commercial]] endeavour. He also promoted [[Second law of thermodynamics|free energy]] [[machine]]s. He claimed inspiration from [[Nikola Tesla]], among others.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.keelynet.com/gravity/carr3.htm|title=Otis Carr Flying Machine – KeelyNet 12/23/01|website=www.keelynet.com|access-date=11 April 2018|archive-date=1 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101093112/http://www.keelynet.com/gravity/carr3.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 1962, physicist [[Richard Feynman]] discussed a [[Brownian ratchet]] that would supposedly extract meaningful work from [[Brownian motion]], although he went on to demonstrate how such a device would fail to work in practice.<ref name="Feynman">{{cite book | last = Feynman | first = Richard P. | title = The Feynman Lectures on Physics, Vol. 1 | url = https://feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/I_46.html | publisher = Addison-Wesley | year = 1963 | location = Massachusetts, USA | pages = Chapter 46 | isbn =978-0-201-02116-5}}</ref>

In the 1970s, David Hamel produced the Hamel generator, an "[[antigravity]]" device, supposedly after an [[alien abduction]]. The device was tested on ''[[MythBusters]]'' where it failed to demonstrate any lift-generating capability.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2006/12/episode_68_christmas_tree_ligh.html|title=Annotated Mythbusters: Episode 68: Christmas Tree Lights, Antigravity Device, Vodka Myths IV|website=kwc.org|access-date=11 April 2018}}</ref><ref>[[MythBusters]] Episode 68: Christmas Tree Lights, Antigravity Device, Vodka Myths IV {{cite web |url=http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/mythbusters/episode/episode-tab-05.html |title=Mythbusters : Episode Guide : Discovery Channel |access-date=2011-10-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081109031748/http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/mythbusters/episode/episode-tab-05.html |archive-date=2008-11-09 }}</ref>

[[File:USPatent4151431-2.png|thumb|222px|right|Howard R. Johnson's US Patent 4151431]]
[[Howard Robert Johnson]] developed a permanent [[magnet motor]] and, on April 24, 1979, received {{US patent|4151431}}.[The United States Patent office main classification of his 4151431 patent is as an "electrical generator or motor structure, dynamoelectric, linear" (310/12).] Johnson claimed that his device generates motion, either rotary or linear, from nothing but permanent magnets in rotor as well as stator, acting against each other.<ref>{{cite news |work=Science & Mechanics|author=Jorma Hyypia|title=Amazing Magnet-Powered Motor |date= Spring 1980|url=http://www.newebmasters.com/freeenergy/sm-pg45.html }} (Cover illustration is [http://www.rexresearch.com/johnson/1johnson.htm#scimech here].)</ref> He estimated that permanent magnets made of proper hard materials should lose less than two percent of their magnetization in powering a device for 18 years.<ref>{{cite news |work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qsYyAAAAIBAJ&pg=6671,6264163 |title=Industrial Engineer Gets Patent for a Device Powered by Magnets |date=April 29, 1979}}</ref>

In 1979, [[Joseph Westley Newman]] applied for a patent on a [[direct current]] electrical motor which, according to his book ''[[The Energy Machine of Joseph Newman]]'' did more mechanical work than could be accounted for by the electrical power supplied to it.<ref name="Newman">{{cite book | title=The Energy Machine of Joseph Newman | publisher=Joseph Newman Publishing Company | author=Newman, Joseph | year=1998 | location=Scottsdale, AZ, USA | isbn=978-0-9613835-8-9}}</ref>  Newman's patent application was rejected in 1983.<ref name="USPTO_Newman">{{cite web | url=https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=WO1983000963 | title=Patent Application: "ENERGY GENERATION SYSTEM HAVING HIGHER ENERGY OUTPUT THAN INPUT" (failed) | publisher=United States Patent and Trademark Office | date=17 March 1983 | access-date=7 September 2016 | author=Newman, Joseph}}</ref><ref name="USPTO_MPEP_2107.01">{{cite web | url=http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/documents/2100_2107_01.htm | title=Manual of Patent Examining Procedure | publisher=United States Patent and Trademark Office | work=2107.01 General Principles Governing Utility Rejections (R-5) – 2100 Patentability. II. Wholly inoperative inventions | access-date=7 September 2016}}</ref>
Newman sued the [[US Patent and Trademark Office]] in US District Court, which ordered the [[National Bureau of Standards]] to test his machine; they informed the Court that Newman's device did not produce more power than supplied by the batteries it was connected to, and the Court found against Newman.<ref name="Newman_v_Quigg">{{cite web | url=https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=16083607426021457478&hl=en&as_sdt=6&as_vis=1&oi=scholarr | title=Newman v. Quigg, 681 F. Supp. 16 – Dist. Court, Dist. of Columbia 1988 | publisher=United States District Court, District of Columbia.(paper hosted on Google Scholar) | date=February 26, 1988 | access-date=7 September 2016 | author=Jackson, Thomas Penfield}}</ref>

==== 1981 to 1999 ====
Dr. Yuri S. Potapov of [[Moldova]] claimed development of an [[over-unity]] electrothermal water-based generator (referred to as "Yusmar 1"). He founded the YUSMAR company to promote his device. The device has failed to produce over unity under tests.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://earthtech.org/yusmar-potapov-device/|title=YUSMAR-Potapov Device – Earth Tech|website=earthtech.org|access-date=27 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.padrak.com/ine/CSOURCES.html|title=COMMERCIAL SOURCES|website=www.padrak.com|access-date=11 April 2018}}</ref>

Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. (CETI) claimed development of a device called the [[Patterson power cell]] that outputs small yet anomalous amounts of heat, perhaps due to [[cold fusion]]. Skeptics state that inaccurate measurements of [[friction]] effects from the cooling flow through the pellets may be responsible for the results.<ref>[http://www.phact.org/e/skeptic/ceti.htm CETI : Patterson Cell – taking a scientific look<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040426204625/http://www.phact.org/e/skeptic/ceti.htm|date=2004-04-26}}</ref>

[[David E. H. Jones|Dave Jones]] created a device in 1981 using a seemingly constantly rotating bicycle wheel sealed in a plexiglass container. He created it as a scientific joke, always stating that it was a fake and not a true perpetual motion machine, but to date no one has yet discovered how the device works. Before he died of cancer in 2017, his brother Peter persuaded him to write down the secret behind the wheel, which he sent in a letter to [[Martyn Poliakoff]], a chemist at the [[University of Nottingham]].<ref>{{citation |url=https://royalsociety.org/blog/2018/09/perpetual-motion |title=Perpetual motion |publisher=[[Royal Society|The Royal Society]] (blog) |date=25 September 2018 |access-date=7 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/science/article/motion-machine-is-a-perpetual-mystery-h02wlvznr |title=Motion machine is a perpetual mystery |work=[[The Times]] |date=30 December 2017 |author=Tom Whipple |access-date=7 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=https://siamagazin.com/the-impossible-perpetuum-mobile-machine-invented-by-david-jones |title=The Impossible Perpetuum Mobile Machine Invented By David Jones |date= 16 March 2018 |access-date=7 January 2023 |publisher=[[SIA Magazin]]}}</ref> [[Adam Savage]] examined the wheel in 2023, which was housed at the [[Royal Society]], producing a video of the event, in which he suspected that an electrical mechanism of some kind drove the device.<ref>{{cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdEdYfxMx-0 |publisher=[[YouTube]] |author=[[Adam Savage]] |title=Adam Savage vs The "Perpetual Motion" Machine! |date=3 Jan 2023}}</ref>

==== 2000s ====
[[File:MEGcircuit.png|thumb|222px|Motionless electromagnetic generator circuit as explained in US Patent 6362718]]

The motionless electromagnetic generator (MEG) was built by Tom Bearden. Allegedly, the device can eventually sustain its operation in addition to powering a load without application of external electrical power. Bearden claimed that it didn't violate the first law of thermodynamics because it extracted [[zero-point energy|vacuum energy]] from the immediate environment.<ref name=Gardner>[[Martin Gardner]], [https://skepticalinquirer.org/2007/01/dr-beardens-vacuum-energy/ "'Dr' Bearden's Vacuum Energy"], ''Skeptical Inquirer'', January/February 2007</ref> Critics dismiss this theory and instead identify it as a perpetual motion machine with an unscientific rationalization.<ref name="Gardner" /><ref>[http://bobpark.physics.umd.edu/WN02/wn040502.html "Free Energy: Perpetual Motion Scams are at an All-Time High"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622223211/http://bobpark.physics.umd.edu/WN02/wn040502.html |date=2012-06-22 }}, ''What's New'', APS, 5 April 2002</ref><ref>[http://bobpark.physics.umd.edu/WN02/wn050302.html "Vacuum Energy: How Do You Patent a Perpetual-Motion Machine?"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622223334/http://bobpark.physics.umd.edu/WN02/wn050302.html |date=2012-06-22 }}, ''What's New'', APS, 3 May 2002</ref><ref name="parkJune2002" /><ref>[http://home.fnal.gov/~prebys/talks/perpetual_motion/perpetual_motion_public.pdf Energy: No Such Thing as a Free Lunch"], Eric Prebys, Guest Lecture at Columbia University, November 4, 2008. Also, [http://home.fnal.gov/~prebys/talks/ask_a_scientist_energy/ shorter version] for Fermilab's "Ask a scientist" program, December 6, 2009</ref> Science writer [[Martin Gardner]] said that Bearden's physics theories, compiled in the self-published book ''Energy from the Vacuum'', are considered "howlers" by physicists, and that his doctorate title was obtained from a [[diploma mill]].<ref name="Gardner" /> Bearden then founded and directed the Alpha Foundation's Institute for Advanced Study (AIAS) to further propagate his theories. This group has published papers in established physics journals and in books published by leading publishing houses, but one analysis lamented these publications because the texts were "full of misconceptions and misunderstandings concerning the theory of the [[electromagnetic field]]."<ref>{{cite journal |arxiv =physics/0302016 | quote =We show that the AIAS group collection of papers on a 'new electrodynamics' recently published in the Journal of New Energy, as well as other papers signed by that group (and also other authors) appearing in other established physical journals and in many books published by leading international publishers (see references) are full of misconceptions and misunderstandings concerning the theory of the electromagnetic field and contain fatal mathematical flaws, which invalidates almost all claims done by the authors.
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| first1 =A. L. T.
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| title =The non Sequitur Mathematics and Physics of the 'New Electrodynamics' of the ''AIAS'' Group
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| pages =161–206
| bibcode =2003physics...2016D
}}</ref> When Bearden was awarded {{US patent|6,362,718}} in 2002, the [[American Physical Society]] issued a statement against the granting.<ref name="parkJune2002">[http://bobpark.physics.umd.edu/WN02/wn062802.html "Free Energy: APS Board Speaks Out on Perpetual Motion"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622223550/http://bobpark.physics.umd.edu/WN02/wn062802.html |date=2012-06-22 }}, ''What's New'', APS, 28 June 2002 "The Executive Board of the American Physical Society is concerned that in this period of unprecedented scientific advance, misguided or fraudulent claims of perpetual motion machines and other sources of unlimited free energy are proliferating. Such devices would directly violate the most fundamental laws of Nature, laws that have guided the scientific advances that are transforming our world."</ref> The [[United States Patent and Trademark Office]] said that it would reexamine the patent and change the way it recruits examiners, and re-certify examiners on a regular basis, to prevent similar patents from being granted again.<ref>[http://bobpark.physics.umd.edu/WN02/wn082302.html "Free Energy: The Patent Office Decides to Take Another Look"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622223443/http://bobpark.physics.umd.edu/WN02/wn082302.html |date=2012-06-22 }}, ''What's New'', APS, 23 August 2002</ref>

In 2002, the GWE (Genesis World Energy) group claimed to have 400 people developing a device that supposedly separated water into H<sub>2</sub> and O<sub>2</sub> using less energy than conventionally thought possible. No independent confirmation was ever made of their claims, and in 2006, company founder Patrick Kelly was sentenced to five years in prison for stealing funds from investors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases06/pr20061109d.html|title=State of New Jersey|website=www.nj.gov|access-date=11 April 2018}}</ref>

In 2006, [[Steorn]] Ltd. claimed to have built an over-unity device based on rotating magnets, and took out an advertisement soliciting scientists to test their claims. The selection process for twelve began in September 2006 and concluded in December 2006.<ref>Originally at http://steorn.net/en/news.aspx?p=2&id=911 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113102418/http://steorn.net/en/news.aspx?p=2&id=911 |date=2020-01-13 }}</ref> The selected jury started investigating Steorn's claims. A public demonstration scheduled for July 4, 2007 was canceled due to "technical difficulties".<ref>Originally at http://steorn.net/en/news.aspx?p=2&id=981 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113102417/http://steorn.net/en/news.aspx?p=2&id=981 |date=2020-01-13 }}</ref> In June 2009, the selected jury said the technology does not work.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0624/1224249416758.html | newspaper=The Irish Times | title=Irish 'energy for nothing' gizmo fails jury vetting | date=June 6, 2009}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{portal|Energy}}
*[[History of science]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==
* [[Henry Dircks|Dircks, Henry]]. (1870). ''[https://archive.org/details/perpetuummobile00dircgoog Perpetuum Mobile: Or, A History of the Search For Self-Motive Power, From the 13th to the 19th Century]'' With an introductory essay. Second Series. London. W. Clowes and Sons
* Verance, Percy. (1916). ''[https://archive.org/stream/perpetualmotionc00verarich#page/2/mode/2up Perpetual Motion: Comprising a History of the Efforts to Attain Self-Motive Mechanism with a Classified, Illustrated Collection and Explanation of the Devices Whereby it Has Been Sought and Why They Failed, and Comprising Also a Revision and Re-Arrangement of the Information Afforded by "Search for Self -Motive Power During The 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries," London, 1861, and "A History of the Search for Self-Motive Power from the 13th to The 19th Century," London, 1870, by Henry Dircks, C. E., LL. D., Etc.]''. 20th Century Enlightenment Specialty Co.
* Ord-Hume, Arthur W. J. G. (1977). [https://books.google.com/books?id=3V-BQgAACAAJ Perpetual Motion: The History of an Obsession]. St. Martin's Press. {{ISBN|0-312-60131-X}}.
* Angrist, Stanley W., "''Perpetual Motion Machines''". Scientific American. January 1968.
* Hans-Peter, "''[http://www.hp-gramatke.net/perpetuum/english/page7100.htm Perpetual Motion Chronology]''". [http://www.hp-gramatke.net/perpetuum/ HP's Perpetuum Mobile].
* MacMillan, David M., et al., "''[http://www.marcdatabase.com/~lemur/rb-rolling-ball.html The Rolling Ball Web] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017023436/http://www.marcdatabase.com/~lemur/rb-rolling-ball.html |date=2018-10-17 }}, An Online Compendium of Rolling Ball Sculptures, Clocks, Etc''".
* Lienhard, John H., "''[http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi33.htm Perpetual motion]''". [[The Engines of Our Ingenuity]], 1997.
* "''[http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/museum/patents.htm Patents for Unworkable Devices] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315004835/http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/museum/patents.htm |date=2015-03-15 }}''". [http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/museum/unwork.htm The Museum of Unworkable Devices] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100123165219/http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/museum/unwork.htm |date=2010-01-23 }}.
* "''[http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/museum/people/people.htm Perpetual Motion Pioneers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423101614/http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/museum/people/people.htm |date=2012-04-23 }} (The Movers and Shakers)''". The Museum of Unworkable Devices.
* Boes, Alex, "''[http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/ Museum of Hoaxes]''".
* Kilty, Kevin T., "''[http://www.kilty.com/pmotion.htm Perpetual Motion]''". 1999.
* [http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/museum/test-pm.htm The Basement Mechanic's Guide to Testing Perpetual Motion Machines] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315004653/http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/museum/test-pm.htm |date=2015-03-15 }}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
*Gousseva, Maria, "''[http://english.pravda.ru/science/tech/15-04-2003/2497-energy-0/ Alleged Creation of Perpetual Energy Source Splits Scientific Community]''". Pravda.ru.
* Bearden, Tom, "''[http://www.cheniere.org/techpapers/Fact_Sheets/Fact%20Sheet%20-%20Perpetual%20Motion%2038.doc Perpetual motion vs. "working machines creating energy from nothing"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050127104927/http://www.cheniere.org/techpapers/Fact_Sheets/Fact%20Sheet%20-%20Perpetual%20Motion%2038.doc |date=2005-01-27 }}''". 2003, Revised 2004.
*[http://www.veljkomilkovic.com/Veciti_motoriEng.html Perpetuum mobile page] by Veljko Milković.
{{History of physics}}
[[Category:Perpetual motion|*]]
[[Category:History of technology|Perpetual motion machines]]
[[Category:History of thermodynamics|Perpetual motion machines]]