I don't know how many people who chance upon this blog, have actually heard of Johann Bessler and his claims to have built several perpetual motion machines, but of one thing I'm certain - the vast majority will have learned that such a thing is impossible and would utterly confound the laws of science if such a device were ever able to see the light of day and work.
The history of science is littered with the corpses of those knowledgeable people who delivered their prognostications after much observation, experimentation and deliberation. There is a veritable cornucopia of websites listing these sad, deluded experts who knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that some things were impossible, only to be proven wrong within a surprisingly short time. There is therefore no need for me to detail any, but I found an interesting trend noted in a magazine of no lesser standing than the International Business Times and I have provided a brief extract which seems to support my contention that, like the advice, 'don't believe everything you read in the papers', you should not believe everything the scientists tell us:-
"A rise in the number of studies published in scientific journals has been accompanied by a surge in retraction notices, casting into doubt findings that influence everything from government grants to prescriptions written for patients, a Wall Street Journal analysis found.
Citing data compiled by Thomson Reuters, the Journal found a steep rise in retraction notices in peer-reviewed research journals, from just 22 in 2001 to 339 last year. The number of papers published in such journals rose 44 percent in the same time frame. The article pointed to other studies finding that fraud and misconduct were becoming increasingly prevalent.
The article noted that new scientific studies look to past research for guidance, so that a flawed study can cause a cascade of faulty or fruitless research: for example, when the renowned Mayo Clinic had found that data about using the immune system to fight cancer had been fabricated, seventeen scholarly papers published in nine research journals had to be retracted.
In addition, doctors rely on research to prescribe the most effective treatment. An ultimately discredited study suggesting that two high blood pressure drugs worked better in concert led doctors to put more than 100,000 patients on a treatment schedule that may offer no benefits and dangerous side effects.
Part of the problem is that scientists are locked in competition for the prestige and money that flows from being published in a recognized journal.
"The stakes are so high," said the Lancet's editor, Richard Horton. "A single paper in Lancet and you get your chair and you get your money. It's your passport to success."
Citing data compiled by Thomson Reuters, the Journal found a steep rise in retraction notices in peer-reviewed research journals, from just 22 in 2001 to 339 last year. The number of papers published in such journals rose 44 percent in the same time frame. The article pointed to other studies finding that fraud and misconduct were becoming increasingly prevalent.
The article noted that new scientific studies look to past research for guidance, so that a flawed study can cause a cascade of faulty or fruitless research: for example, when the renowned Mayo Clinic had found that data about using the immune system to fight cancer had been fabricated, seventeen scholarly papers published in nine research journals had to be retracted.
In addition, doctors rely on research to prescribe the most effective treatment. An ultimately discredited study suggesting that two high blood pressure drugs worked better in concert led doctors to put more than 100,000 patients on a treatment schedule that may offer no benefits and dangerous side effects.
Part of the problem is that scientists are locked in competition for the prestige and money that flows from being published in a recognized journal.
"The stakes are so high," said the Lancet's editor, Richard Horton. "A single paper in Lancet and you get your chair and you get your money. It's your passport to success."
This report concerns us today but why should it not apply to the last three hundred years too? There is plenty of evidence out there proving that many established beliefs are later found to be wrong. I underlined one particularly damming point, 'new scientific studies look to past research for guidance, so that a
flawed study can cause a cascade of faulty or fruitless research'. Isn't that exactly the problem we face here. Previous conclusions about the viability of Bessler's wheel have effectively wiped out any sensible consideration of its potential as an alternative means of generating electricity?
I have found so much circumstantial evidence that Bessler's wheel really worked, that I am certain that this legend is going to prove possible and that a large quantity of egg is going to appear on many a professional scientist....and I can't wait!
JC
10a2c5d26e15f6g7h10ik12l3m6n14o14r5s17tu6v5w4y4-3,’
I have found so much circumstantial evidence that Bessler's wheel really worked, that I am certain that this legend is going to prove possible and that a large quantity of egg is going to appear on many a professional scientist....and I can't wait!
JC
10a2c5d26e15f6g7h10ik12l3m6n14o14r5s17tu6v5w4y4-3,’
Me too John, I can't wait!
ReplyDelete"Men, will never be able to fly"
ReplyDelete"We will never be able to travel faster than sound"
"It's impossible to travel faster than light"
Only 1 thing is certain: we have never been able to predict the future.
Explorers, scientists and inventors have been able to successfully defy the impossible so many times in history.
People often forget that scientific research always involves human beings and human beings are not perfect. Data can be misinterpreted and even sometimes fabricated in order to expedite research. Inventors chasing after pm devices are no different. They can get excited over partial results that look good initially only to later find out that they should have been more patient and thorough. A few will begin to hoax results for various reasons. But, ultimately, the truth will come out. Either Bessler's wheels were genuine or they were not. We can not say for sure at this time although what limited evidence we have available seems to suggest they were genuine. If they are duplicated, then the matter will be settled. Like you, I'm hoping this happens in the next few years.
ReplyDeleteI just don't want to agree with you....sorry...Bessler's wheel was genuine...and we can say this for sure...if only one is on the right track...the problem here is everyone is either without proper understanding of the simple wheel design or just highly misguided....there is too much distraction....when one tries to guide us properly another is ever ready to disrupt with some humor, criticism or even ridicule...again sorry to sound very negative...it is just that I can't remain a mute spectator when someone doubts bessler's achievement...all those struggles...accusations...and ordeals underwent by bessler simply goes to prove how genuine bessler was...his story is good enough to be read over and over again...his bitter end is too difficult to be taken very lightly... .The numerous illustrations left behind by him....the poem....the experts' certification...the successful wheel tests....
DeleteTell me, where is the doubt about his genuineness dear?
Suresh Kumar
Hi Suresh. You're right but I think Ken was just saying that we can't know for certain until someone duplicates what Bessler did...then we'll know for certain.
DeleteJC
DeleteThank you sir, I understand....but, one must be very sure and positive in this epic search and leave no room for doubt especially about bessler's successfully developed wheel. That is the basis for which we are here. It is well known that even bessler did't get it done overnight...it took him several years and lot of efforts until he finally succeeded....that is to say that initially even he had to start from scratch and face all that we are facing now....I am very sure that we are not able to reproduce this wheel is because at some point we get deviated from the actual right track and start to develop second thoughts about bessler's achievement.... Eight sounds were heard which clearly indicates eight falling weights... but we are deploying 2, 5 or many levers with weights instead of the correct eight used by Bessler....this is the gravest mistake being made by us which we are not ready to accept....another serious mistake that we don't realize is the unique design of the lever-weight combo which is the most critical criteria...unique in the sense that it exists nowhere else...they perform a trick at every rotation... this has never been discussed straightforwardly anywhere... .It is this trick that actually counts...now, who really has a clear picture of this trick....there is no much intricacy involved...a very simple design but not thought of before....remember what Karl described in his diary....he was absolutely right... .the doubt in our minds only exist when we are not on the right track...How can Ken say that " Either Bessler's wheels were genuine or they were not. We cannot say for sure at this time "? It may not be duplicated at all for a very long time to come given the approach and today's understanding...Then how is the matter going to be settled? Bessler himself stated that only a person with a discerning mind can make out a movement...Now we need to question ourselves whether we hold this caliber...
Suresh, let me assure you that I do very much personally believe that Bessler's wheels were genuine otherwise I would not have spent decades trying to determine how they worked. But, that is still only a belief of mine and I will not know for sure if that belief is correct until that day arrives, if it ever does, when I can see a bug free simulation or, better yet, an actual physical model in front of me that works. While I believe that I have so far correctly uncovered much of the mechanics he used (the shapes of his special levers, their static arrangement inside of his wheels, his method of producing two way rotation, etc.), I still don't have everything I need so that I can offer a final solution to the mystery. There is a critical feature missing and I continue to search for it. There are, of course, many others out there that make the same claims as I. God willing, I'll see this thing solved before I finally "pull up the cloak of darkness and sleep the sleep of kings".
DeleteJohn,
ReplyDeleteOff topic and : Just a suggestion mind you but why not publish Bessler's answers to Wagners Critique side by side on the same page ?
Good point, and frankly speaking.... important one.
DeleteGood idea Chris. I did consider it way back when I first posted Wagner's critiques, but I never got around to it. I'll see what I can do to post it on a web page.
DeleteJC
Hello Suresh, nice to see you're still around and still on the quest.
ReplyDeleteYeh...Trevor...thanks..
DeleteSuresh wrote: Eight sounds were heard which clearly indicates eight falling weights...
ReplyDeleteNot necessarily. The sounds could have been made by pendulums banging against the outer casing. I think this is more likely for reasons I have given in BW threads.
Dudes,
ReplyDeletedon't forget,
1 weight banging 8 times,
2 weights banging 4 times,
4 weights banging twice, etc. etc.
Anything is possible.
And the eight weights referred to, were on the two-way wheel, so maybe there were only four for a one-way wheel, or three or five?
ReplyDeleteJC
John,
Deletejust another strange thought, with 4 stampers (lifted twice) , and the pump driven by a cord on 4 arms,
it seems as though even numbers operate the wheel.
But, if there are 5 mechanisms, maybe one is left out of synch' , and finds a place that is out of balance, causing the wheel to turn.
Good input sir...the eight weights referred to were for the two-way wheel...very much correct...maybe, the sound of the weights of the one-way wheel was not described by anyone or recorded at all...In my opinion, the internal mechanism is unique and it cannot be different in both the cases...the sound of the banging weights recorded by eyewitnesses is a very great clue indeed...we cannot take it light...the wheel was principally driven by weights...we generally think that five weights would have been employed and the fifth weight was crucial in over-balancing the wheel...and, we could be erring here...banging denotes something swinging and hitting the wheel side...and this increases the weight of the wheel on the banging side...and then the wheel gets over-balanced naturally...so it is swinging followed by the banging which causes movement of the wheel and not necessarily the fifth weight...and for swinging to happen a proper lever-design and its proper positioning too is vital...for continuous over-balancing to occur a even number of weights would be appropriate and for over-balancing the wheel just once an odd configuration of weights will do....because, ultimately the wheel would come to rest on the side which is more heavy or where more weights are located....it is well known that the wheel would turn when one side is heavy and for making one side heavy it is not necessary to have an additional weight....just a trick is required....trick performed by the lever and not the weights...weights are stable, even numbered, equally weighing and of same shape...
DeleteIf we could accept (digest) all this I assure you we wouldn't be required to wait for another 300 years...Suresh
In the solution I work on there are only 8 levers in a one-directional wheel that make sounds as they land on wooden platforms attached to the inside wall of the wheel's outer perimeter. There are always the same number of levers (4) on each side of the wheel. The trick is to have these levers shift themselves about so as to always keep the center of mass of their weights on a wheel's descending side despite the rotation of the wheel. I think it was the very clever use of spring tensions that allowed this to happen. Bessler would have become expert in the use of springs from his work with clocks and organs. This use of spring tensions is the area where my own research is currently concentrated.
DeleteI quite agree with you....you are right...8 levers ok...4 on each side ok...center of mass on descending side ok....but, as far as the springs are concerned I need to disagree...no clever use of spring is necessary...clever design and movement of levers is what is required...you are almost 90% on the right track except with the application of springs...the trick that is being discussed is nothing but the unbelievable acts of the levers....never thought of before as Karl had scribbled...the role of the springs is very minor....remember what Bessler explained....springs are used but not as the detractors pointed out...if the wheel had relied so much on the springs it wouldn't have run for about two months....
DeleteSuresh...Suresh,...I think there is a misunderstanding here!
ReplyDeleteWhen Bessler said,' not as his detractors meant', what he was saying was, that springs were not used in the same way that they were used to wind up a clock, as a long term energy store.
Rather, they were used a short term energy capture to restore the weights.
Don't you think that is more credible?
You are right, Trevor...The role of the springs is a very minor when compared to other actions like swinging, etc.,
DeleteI'm not sure Trevor meant to imply springs played a very minor role. If springs were used to facilitate the lifting of the weights, then they would have played a very important role. The only thing we know for sure is that Bessler said "springs were employed, but not as detractors suggested". He was refuting the notion that his wheels used clockwork like springs requiring external assistance to be wound up. In AP, every time he mentioned clockwork, he also added that his device didn't include springs that required winding by external means or forces (implying winding by someone). So could his wheels have included clockwork like springs that were wound by internal means?
Delete