Bessler (Orffyreus) Left Coded Information to Build his Perpetual Motion.

When Johann Bessler first exhibited his Perpetual Motion machine in Gera in 1712, he had already formulated a plan for going forward from that point; he wanted to sell the machine.  He had written a manuscript for a book which he wished to have printed, selling copies to buyers.  It was an account of his journey to success, an autobiography.

It also included  a collection of coded clues which were designed to provide secret information about the design of the machine.  The book was titled ‘Apologia Poetica’, and was written in rhyming couplets.  He mentions that there is information within the book for those who are willing to look for it.

As a strong hint about the presence of coded information he adopted the pseudonym, ‘Orffyreus’, which was obtained by use of a simple substitution code used throughout history going back to the early Hebrew scribes who used it to disguise the names of certain people they mentioned in the books of the Old Testament. 

Besides the Hebrews it has often been used for encoding messages by various governments and organisations as well as individuals. It involves substituting A, for instance, with N, B for O, and so on.  Alternatives include placing the first half of the alphabet beneath the second half which can be reversed, and substituting the one above for the one below and vice versa.

Bessler used the same system to make his pseudonym, Orffyreus, substituting the coloured letters in the box above or below with their adjacent letter.  This ancient cipher, called atbash by the Hebrews and the Caesar Shift and more recently, ROT13, is so well-known, it seems odd at first sight that he decided to use it. But its only purpose was to convey the impression that more  codes lay hidden within his documents and not just the first book but others which followed later.

I have identified numerous codes and interpreted many of them.  This information is currently being used in the construction of a version of Bessler’s wheel.  Some of these codes can be read and understood at my other websites.  There is a list of the links at the bottom of the right hand pane.

I have also produced digital and printed versions of five related books accessible from the top of the righthand panel by clicking on Bessler’s books. Those which I have published in their original German include full English translations.  Additionally you can get copies of my biography about Bessler, called Perprtual Motion, An Ancient Mystery Solved?

I am also in the process of writing a book which will include details of many of the codes, their interpretation and how they reveal how Bessler’s wheel worked.

JC