Did Bessler Invent Two solutions?

Although I’m reasonably satisfied with my Bessler-Collins theory, the truth is the design looks more complex than we’ve been led to believe it was.  Karl is reported to have expressed surprise that the solution had not been discovered before. On another occasion, when asked if it was complicated, he replied that he thought a carpenter’s boy could make one if he was allowed to study it.

On the other hand we extracted certain information from the text in two of his books, that as well as weights and levers there was also a number of pulleys and by inference some lengths of cord. These items were all operating according to their design, so I guess the action was relatively narrow with minimal overlap.  

Given the size of his first wheel exhibition at Gera, 6th June, 1712, which measured nearly six and  half feet in diameter but with a thickness of just 4 inches, it seems hard to imagine all of the internal mechanisms fitting comfortably within such a narrow space.  

I built my wheels on a flat disc of wood material but given the shortage of flat sheets of wood, other than very expensive wood veneer, I’m sure Bessler built on a skeletal structure made of wood, which would have been more stable than mine.  Karl’s use of the words “carpenter’s boy”, suggests that perhaps the majority of the wheel was comprised of wood which was also used extensively in organ-building, and was his brother, Gottfried’s area of expertise.

If the mechanism was attached to two structures in the shape of a pentagram, I think the interior would be tight but sufficient for a similar mechanism to mine.

Bessler used oil cloth to cover the sides of the two largest wheel. Apparently oil cloth was typically made of heavy linen or cotton canvas, treated with boiled linseed oil to create a durable, waterproof material. It was often coated with iron oxide pigments (such as red Spanish brown or yellow) for colour. It was similar to a ship’s sale of the day but thinner and still difficult to penetrate and surprisingly heavy.

Finally Bessler said that between each move he “smashed the wheel”.  He blamed this action on the antics of his so-called enemies, Gartner, Wagner and Borlach.  I don’t believe he destroyed his wheel, so much as took it to pieces.  He then gathered all the parts ready to use on another larger wheel at his new address.  Material such as he needed for his wheels was hard to come by and expensive; it doesn’t make sense to just chuck everything away.

The emotive quality of the words disguises the fact that the safest way to transport the wheel without risking the danger of someone attempting to steal it, and thus the secret, was to disassemble it. It was merely a security precaution. Even when he died, the one remaining model of his machine was found in pieces, and it made sense to take such action to protect his invention being stolen.

So did Bessler invent a  simpler gravity wheel, but one with less power potential than the+later ones? Just in case he did, I’m checking back to see if there is the vaguest hint  that he might have done, I’ll let you know if I find anything.

JC