Dialogues
Begin Here
‘
How
did you stumble on such a
treasure?’ asked Count Karl.
“I
have many different kinds of
machine all running on different
principles.
They can be moved by
weights, balls, springs,
internal gears, internal water,
oil, alcohol and wind1.
Sir I had a strangely
invigorating dream prior to
inventing my machine.’
Orffyreus replied.
Would
you explain it? asked Gravesande.
‘A
vague feeling of ‘wanting
something’ developed strongly
in me. I had a vague desire. Day
and night, I was restless for
that, I knew not what. I asked
God for help. Then I was looking
different visions of nature. One
night I had an invigorating
dream that set me on my
perpetual motion journey I
acknowledge God’s help in
helping me to understand and
consider things that I might
not. It was all God’s
grace.’ Orffyreus answered.
‘Still,
I am amazed how you could invent
it. Surely, you are a genius!
’ Count Karl exclaimed.
‘As
far as I can see there is
nothing particular in me to
distinguish me or set me apart
from my fellow beings, I can
only describe my self as an
ordinary human being, a cleric
in the service of God.
I cannot think of
anything in me on which I can
lay my fingers and say that,
that probably was what procured
for me this reward or grace.
Then why did God was kind enough
to accept me
or more correctly select
me for this invention? I really
don’t know.’
Orffyreus
spoke in a submissive manner.
“Tell
us precisely about the various
mechanical parts your huge wheel
contains?” Gravesande
enquired.
‘The
wheel is supported between two
broken columns; cut out for
bearings.
My wheel is an assembly
of many parts all in motion for
the sake of motion. It moves as
rain drops drip or snowflakes
fall. In my machine a hammer
blows on an ordinary anvil; the
Driver drives; the Runner runs;
Seer sees; Buyer buys; the
Shotgun Shoots and the Bow
twangs.’ Orffyreus replied.
‘Sorry,
I don’t understand what you
say; how is it possible?’
Gravesande mumbled.
'It
is easily possible, you will see
it for yourself.’ Replied
Orffyreus.
‘I
am not convinced of this
arrangement at all. Perhaps I
should understand your wheel
better from the drawing, if you
could draw, which shall also
make it easier to discuss.’
Gravesande desired.
‘Is
it really a wheel?
For it does not have a
normal rim. Rim that you see is
just to hide the mechanism. If I
uncover it you would then ask
whether this is really a wheel.
My wheel revolves, but
without other wheels inside or
outside, and without weights,
wind or springs. You see sir, when my
wheel seen sideways or full-face
it is as bright as a peacock’s
tail. It turns to the right and
the left; it spins around in
either direction, laden or
empty.2’
Orffyreus explained to
professor.
‘Would
you explain me the working and
internal structure of the
machine? Gravesande again
insisted.
‘
Are
ye also yet without
understanding? sir, friend of
Newton the great! That shall be
done, sir but only after I am
paid my money, which his
Excellency, Karl, has promised
me to pay.
But sir, for your greater
satisfactions, I want you to
move the machine and also let me
demonstrate you a few
experiments which I have planned
to convince you about the
ability of the machine.
I am sure it will
surprise you.’ Orffyreus replied.
Orffyreus
continued: ‘You can start the
machine by giving a jerk in
whatever fashion you want,
clockwise or anticlockwise.
Once you start the
machine it would go forever
until its machinery lasts.
The force of your hand
with which you start the machine
will multiply forever inside,
and then you can extract power
from the machine to do all
useful work for indefinite
period of time.
It will never exhaust in
its power. It is so well
designed that it is not
necessary to stop it to carry
out repairs or servicing.3”
Orffyreus said proudly.
‘Something
from nothing ! That is indeed a
great achievement. Though it is
hard to believe but no doubt
Orffyreus has achieved
it! Bravo! Count Karl exclaimed.
‘What
do you mean?
Do you mean to disapprove
popular opinion of all the
leaders in natural philosophy?
That is whatever is
gained in motion is not lost
equally.’
Gravesande interrogated.
I cannot believe because Sir
Newton also holds the opinion
that seekers after perpetual
motion are trying to get
something from nothing. What you
have said is contrary to the
laws of nature.’ Gravesande
argued.
‘I
neither disapprove nor I have
courage to go against the
popular doctrine, but my
machine, which creates enough
force to do all useful work for
an indefinite period without
feeding on any force, is direct
proof.
It contradicts popular
opinion of man of natural
philosophy that vis viva is
always conserved.’ Orffyreus
maintained.
‘In my opinion sir,
Nature operates on the same
principle and display same
mechanism in celestial
movements. I consider gravity to
be a creative force’ Orffyreus
added further.
‘Does
your machine draw on gravity?
asked Gravesande.
‘It
draws? I would not prefer to say
that; rather I would say, sir,
my machine moves under influence
of out-flowing river of swirling
force that we call gravity. Same
force moves the heavens, in the
similar manner. Undoubtedly, the
falling weights are the only
source of power4’
Orffyreus answered.
Orffyreus
said further: ‘I do not know
whether so far any scientist has
sincerely experimented with
gravity and ever made rigorous
efforts to invent perpetual
motion as I did.
What have they done? I consider their weird
speculations on gravity are far
from truth. Borelli understood
the role of gravitation in
planetary motion but not
perpetual motion, Robert Hooks
ideas on gravity are also far
ahead of Newton, I am sorry to
say that their theoretical
speculations on gravity has no
practical relevance.’
‘I
do not agree with that, how do
you know that?’ Gravesande
objected.
‘This
I was told by Leibniz when he
took interest in my machine. I
wanted to learn calculus from
him and he desired to learn
perpetual motion from me. He
told me that Borelli and Hook
had already discovered law of
universal gravitation.
Unfortunately, Leibniz died even
before taking part in
examination of my pendulum at
Kassel. If he were alive today,
things would have been different
to scientific world and me. ’
Orffyreus replied with a
deep sigh.
‘I
am sorry for that. Of course,
Borelli and Hook were not far
from truth, but their ideas were
mere conjectures. What was needed was a
rigorous proof that the
planetary motions obey the
forces of attraction and that
the existence of gravitation
really explains the observed
regularities of these motion.
Only Issac Newton did
this by propounding law of
gravitation.
I give full credit to him
for his discovery.’
Gravesande gave the
explanation.
“But
my machine clearly demonstrates
that planetary motion is
definitely perpetual motion,
there is no point in rejecting
perpetual motion, I regret
learned man do it without
understanding true nature of
forces in Nature, when these
natural forces are reinforced by
majestic art of perpetual
motion, they serve indeed as
inexhaustible source of energy.
Once this art is learned, there
is no mystery in it ”
Orffyreus asserted.
‘Orffyreus,
let me know, at least, what is
the real source of motive power
in your machine. I cannot
believe gravity as the source of
motive power. Does it move by
power of magnets?’
Gravesande enquired in a
clever manner.
‘No,
I wonder why you don’t believe
my words. It moves by gravity
only! The same force, which
keeps the planets always moving
on in their orbits with
great power
even in presence of
friction..’
Orffyreus exclaimed.
‘That
is false, I cannot believe.’ Gravesande rejected what
Orffyreus said.
‘Do
you want to claim that you know
celestial laws better than what
sir Issac Newton understands?’ Gravesande retorted.
‘No
sir, I do not mean that. I am
nothing in front of him nor I
wish myself to be compared
with anyone . However, I will
exercise my right of freedom to
express my opinions without
being dogmatic and without
fearing what big men have said
before.’
Orffyreus said.
‘But movements of planets are
due to inertia and force of
gravity. They have ideal
conditions of movement too like
absence of friction in their
paths, which are easiest one.
When a thing is set to move, if
there is no friction, thing will
go on moving forever without a
stop. Same is the case with
planetary motion.’
Gravesande explained.
“How
significant is the problem of
friction in your machine? How do
you eliminate it? Fischer asked.
‘As
raindrops drip or snowflakes
fall, they sweep and cleanse the
air of dust particles that would
be a detriment to the operation
of my pendulum.
My pendulum for reliable,
long-lasting service should be
operated in a clean nearly
dust-free environment.’
Orffyreus replied.
‘Mr.
Orffyreus, you again speak in
parables.’ Gravesande made a
complaint.
“You
are talking in circles, try to
be specific about motion of
various parts in your machine.
Fischer also wanted a
clarification.
‘My
machine is capable of moving
itself endlessly, friction does
not stop it, moreover it can
bear load in the form of the
work it does. I am sure my
machine is analogues to design
of planetary motion. This is why
I call it to be a true piece of
perpetual motion because it
imitates the mechanism, which
keeps planets moving forever in
their specific paths even in
presence of the friction. Once
you understand the design of my
machine, sir, you will stop to
advocate that it is only the
inertia and the gravity that
moves the planets. Without
incorporating perpetual motion
in scheme of celestial
mechanics, it is hard for me to
conceive regular movements of
heavenly bodies. ’
Orffyreus explained.
‘In
cosmos, I believe a multitude of
forces wrestle with each other
and they act on planets too.
Rays of sun exerts
pressure and strike against the
planets, they cause tail of
broom star to appear behind it.
Seasons and storms work
against the motion of earth yet
world moves with its unending
regularity. All proves to me that
friction exists; yet, they move
forever.
Without Perpetual motion,
they will fail to maintain their
motion in the course of time.
Design of my machine is
analogues to world system. I
have put eight heavy weights in
my machine, which represents
eight planets of our world. The
large axle of my machine
represents the sun. Heavy
weights in my machine encircle
around the axle to form an
elliptical path, in the similar
manner, as planets encircle
around the sun. Whilst moving
around axle, they recede and
come closer to the center.
They balance against each
other and impart motion to the
wheel.’
Orffyreus explained
further.
‘I
have also investigated that my
machine obeys the Kepler’s
laws of motion therefore it
represents perfect picture of
the world.’
Orffyreus added..
‘Excellent
Orffyreus!’
Count Karl exclaimed.
“Tell
us something how does your
machine creates such an instant
force”? Gravesande enquired.
“My
machine is exceedingly force
greedy or selfish or you may say
"thrifty" if you
prefer in that it greedily draws
force to itself.
It works in layered parts
but it fights
force-loss-friction at all
places possible, so as not to
lose any of the precious force
which in greedy fashion it sips
out of the force -rich raging
river of gravity.
My machine moves under
influence of out flowing river
of swirling force that we call
gravity.” Orffyreus replied.
“
Is there any hope you will ever
uncover your machine to let the
world know your secrets?”
asked Gravesande who was then
embarrassed by Orffyreus
explanations.
“The
covering mantle wheel around my
invention helps to visually
protect it from the
curious-greedy people of this
world who would claim my
invention as their invention
without giving me the one
hundred thousand Thalers payment
that I have asked for my
invention and have so patiently
been waiting for.” Orffyreus
replied.
“Orffyreus,
your explanation is too
difficult to understand.
May be, you speak in your
personal language because you
are not prepared to speak us
your mechanism in a direct
manner. We shall be more pleased
with your explanation such that
it could be grasped even by
children.” Said
Gravesande with a hope
that Orffyreus may be prompted
to a simpler explanation.
“His
excellency, Count Karl who has a
perfect understanding of
mathematics, assured me that the
machine is so simple that a
carpenter's boy could understand
and make it after having seen
the inside of this wheel.”
Fischer supported Orffyreus.
“Learned
professor and great men! I will
have no problem in explaining my
invention to children in my
‘Fortress of God’ as my
invention is simple enough to be
understood by them. For your
satisfaction, I will try to
explain you, as you desire in a
manner as if I am not addressing
to the learned professors
assembled in this graceful hall
of castle of Weissenstein, at
the invitation of his majesty
Count Karl, but to the little
children in park who are curious
to understand my invention.
Anyway, its going to be a
historical moment! Here I do it
for you sir.” Orffyreus told.
‘The
levers loaded with heavy weights
as viewed from the side, may be
compared to side views of many
children playing with very heavy
clubs among tall broken columns.
The strongest of the
children cannot lift the
lightest of the clubs.
Still, each child can
swing (or you might call it
"step" as it uses a
club as a "leg") from
the top of one broken column to
the top of the next broken
column by positioning his heavy
club on the ground between the
two close columns and holding on
to the handle end to swing over
to the top of the next column.
Then he rotates the handle end
of his club to maneuver it
between his current column and
his next intended column so that
he can again "step" or
swing a small angle over to the
top of the next intended broken
column.
If the clubs are even
heavier by being double-ended,
then instead of rolling them to
the next position, they may be
alternatively transported
between the columns by switching
ends.
A double club may be
moved in seesaw fashion by
leaning it against the current
broken column that the child is
on and rolling it over the top
of the column (assuming that
there is enough room for the
child to stay on top of the
column).
The double club is
pivoted with a circular motion
with one end going up while the
other end goes down.5’
Orffyreus gave a simple
explanation that even child
would grasp.
What
material, parts of your machine
made of?’ Fischer asked.
“Each
thing belongs to either the
animal or vegetable or matter
kingdom.
My pendulum invention is
exclusively made of matter as
you can plainly see by examining
the physical parts which I have
described before you in my
little book.
Animals and plants are
made of matter but they have
something extra (spirit that is
passed down to them).
In the analogies that I
make in my
little book, there are
living as well as material
comparisons that can be made to
parts of it. It almost has a
life of its own, as fine things
working within it are important
to it working.
‘People
are not things and so do not
fall within the three kingdoms
of things but I even give my
invention some human-like
partial analogies in this little
book.
You should be able to see
how impressed I am with my
invention and you should be
impressed with it as well.
I think this is Godly
zeal instead of pride as the
something-extra that it has
comes not to us from the carnal
me but to us from God.
I would never have
constructed my invention without
the explicit help from God.
Above and below I allude
to some symbolic comparisons
that are in regard to even
higher kingdoms than that of
mortal man.’ Orffyreus again
gave a long explanation.6’
‘The
physical evidence for my
invention is placed before you
sir as I have also stated the
same in my book Truimpant
Orffreum.’ Orffyreus replied.
‘How
many wheels you have designed so
far?’ Count Karl asked.
‘This
is fifth one, sir.’
Orffyreus replied.
‘
What about those four?’
Count Karl asked.
‘One,
which I had designed first, is
still moving in my village and
its movement is being used to
draw water and irrigate the
fields. Other wheels, I have
dismantled them all because it
has been
a problem for me to keep
people away from the wheels and
take risk of letting them to
know the secret.’
Orffyreus replied.
‘Excellency,
I
would suggest, instead indulging
in discussion further, it is
better if we could complete rest
of the examinations. I have to
report to Sir Newton also’
Gravesande suggested.
‘What
else we need to examine?
We have checked all
inlets and outlets in the room.
Other members have
grounded their ears on the floor
to hear the noise. We have seen
wheel raising weights and water
with Archimedean screw.
Orffyreus demonstrations
are impressive and prove the
ability of the wheel to move
forever without a fraud.
Do you still have some
doubts?’
Count Karl questioned.
Gravesande
took out a magnetic needle from
his pocket and flashed it in
front of the committee members.
‘Let
me try to ascertain if wheel is
driven by permanent magnets.’
Gravesande expressed his
intention.
‘No
sir, I have already told you
that my wheel is driven by
gravity though I admit that
permanent magnet too is
inexhaustible source of power
and capable of creating a
perpetual motion if supported by
a right design.’ Orffyreus tried to
explain.
‘But
how can a magnet create a
continuous motion?
It is against the
principle again.’
Gravesande remarked.
‘Yes,
I equally doubt it.’ Baron
Fischer added.
‘When
a magnet attracts a piece of
iron with its power, the
movement is analogues to a
piston that is moved by force of
steam.
But in later there are
valves that directs steam to
push piston in a reverse
direction also- hence cause
continuous motion backward and
forward but how is it possible
with a magnet which can only
give rise to one type of force
– attraction only?
Am I correct professor
Gravesanded?’
Count Karl enquired.
‘
Yes, indeed your excellency!
Even if one uses some technique
to cut off or intercept
attraction or repulsion of a
permanent magnet, such technique
too would involve in all cases
just that gain or loss of vis
viva which is demanded by
principle.
Moreover, it is
impossible to intercept a
gravity or magnetic force to
create a perpetual motion.’ Gravesande maintained.
‘For
your kind information, reverend
sirs, I would like to remind you
all here that Peter
Peregneius was able to invent a
perpetual motion machine, which
used power of magnets. By using
magnets, I can also design a
machine, which would go forever.
However, I have a practical
difficulty in getting powerful
magnets therefore, I have not
tried it.
Moreover, I do not need
to do so as I have already
designed gravity perpetual
motion machine with great power
and
far superior to a
magnetic perpetual motion
machine.’
Orffyreus told.
Gravesande
took magnetic needle in his hand
and approached the wheel to
examine it.
‘Oh!
he still thinks me to be
a charlatan like the rest.’ Orffyreus mumbled and
expressed his disappointment.
‘Let
him examine and satisfy himself
that there are no magnets in
your wheel.
He is a stubborn
examiner.’
Count Karl said.
Gravesande
moved around the wheel like a
peahen who in her delight and
excitement moves around a
peacock. He noticed no
deflection in magnetic needle.
After sometime, he hid
himself behind the wheel for
sometime. In the mind of
Orffyreus, it raised the
suspicion that professor was
intentionally tampering his
wheel to steal the secret.
Chandra Mohan Pradhan mentions
that with some sharp tool that
Gravesande
had brought with himself,
professor artfully created a
hole in the canvass and dropped
some sniff in to the wheel with
hope that if some man was inside
he would come out sneezing. But
nothing happened.
Unmindful of what
Gravesande was doing behind the
machine Orffyreus was busy with
his demonstration but when he
found Gravesande for a longer
time standing there behind the
wheel, he could not stop himself
and rushed near the spot where
Gravesande was standing.
Orffyreus rushed straight
up to Gravesande as if he would
collide. Orffyreus got furious
when he detected Gravesande
peeping through the hole to
watch the internal machinery of
the machine.
Orffyreus
put his hand inside his pocket;
it scarred Count Karl and other
members who thought as if with
some fixed intention of stabbing
with his pocketknife, Orffyreus
was going to kill the professor.
Nevertheless, what
Orffyreus pulled from his pocket
was not a knife, but a full
scape document, which he thrust
under the indignant nose of
Gravesande
‘Hang
me sir if you find my words
wrong. There are no magnets in
my machine. But I would not
allow you to tamper with my
machine. It is strange and an
open insult to me as you still
do not believe me and do not
entertain my views.’ Orffyreus cried
irrefutably.
‘I
will not allow anyone to look
into the machine until my
contract is fulfilled. I shall
request you to protect my right
as an inventor and not to insult
me. Orffyreus spoke in high
pitch.
‘I
am not looking into your
machine; I am only trying to
listen noise of
mechanism making tumbling sound
so that I can ascertain how many
weights are tumbling there in
your machine.’
Gravesande made a lie and
giggled.
‘I
am sorry you took in that
way.’
Gravesande further tried
to clarify his mistake.
‘I
know you will be sorry for that
when you find the truth.’
Orffyreus said.
‘And
for that I have a hollow straw
pipe here. It would enable you
to hear better the tumbling
noise, you can put its one end
on the props near the axle
and other to your ear.’
Orffyreus suggested after
putting some control over his
anger..
Gravesande
took the straw pipe and tried to
listen the sound but could not
make out any thing except
weights tumbling
and hitting against some thing.
All other members also
did the same what Gravesande had
done.
One by one, they took the
pipe and tried to listen the
sound. Every member thought
himself to be a great detective
as if they were there to uncover
a murder story!
‘Would
you care to explain your
invention?’
Gravesande inquired
weakly, fearing that in asking
him to reveal his secret he was
asking for the moon.
‘My
secret is excellent in the
beginning, excellent in the
middle and excellent in the
end!!’ exclaimed Orffyreus.
‘Mind,
you are talking in parables but
could you give some scientific
description to enlighten me and
rest of academic world?
Graesande demanded.
Orffyreus
shrugged his broad and strong
shoulders and said:
‘Sir,
I have already explained you
that my machine is just simple,
nothing more than a replica of
our world system. I have been
offered large sums of money to
give away my secret, but I do
not intend to do so yet. I keep
it as secret as you would keep a
box of diamonds. Does a king
keep his jewels on the highway
for public display?’
‘No,
he hides them in the treasure
chambers in the vaults of his
palace.’
Orffyreus himself
replied.
‘I
agree with you, your secret is
great indeed!’
Count Karl accepted.
‘But
his Excellency, Karl has told me
that you are demanding 100000
Thalers for the invention. A
huge amount!’ Gravesande
flashed his teeth in a strange
smile.
‘When
one is genuinely sincere one has
nothing to be ashamed of.’
Orffyreus replied.
Now
members wanted to stop the
wheel. Orffyreus warned that
power of wheel was such that it
would throw a man if a single
man tried to stop it. Therefore
many joined to stop the wheel.
When motion of the wheel ceased,
calm fell on the faces of
members.
Gravesande
broke the silence. He asked:
‘So
last time I ask you again, Can
you explain the broad basis of
your feats, the theoretical side
alone, without explaining your
secrets?’
Orffyreus
mused over his query for a
while.
‘Yes,
I am willing to do that for
you.’ he answered softly.
For your satisfaction, let me
read from by book:
“The
inward structure of the wheel is
of a nature according to the
laws of perpetual motion, so
arranged that certain disposed
weights, once in rotation, gain
force from the structure, which
does not lose its position and
arrangement. Unlike other
automata, such as clocks,
springs or other hanging weights
which require winding up or
whose duration depends on the
chain which attaches to them, on
the contrary these weights are
the essential parts and
constitute perpetual motion
itself; as from them is received
the universal movement which
they must exercise so long as
they remain out of the centre of
gravity; and when they come to
be placed together, they are so
arranged that they can never
obtain equilibrium, or the
‘punctum quietus’ which they
unceasingly seek in their
wondrous speedy flight, and one
or another of them must apply
its weight vertically to the
axis, which in its turn will
also move.7”
‘Now,
sir, I regret to say that I
cannot give you any further
explanation of my methods.’
Orffyreus told.
‘You
beat us with your description!
I must admit that your sincerity
is unquestionable and your
determination and sacrifice for
the sake of discovering the
secret have been great.’
Count Karl praised.
‘Before
we could finally decide to
recommend Orffyreus for the
reward, it would be better to
consult sir Isaac Newton for his
expert opinion in this matter.
Mr. Orffyreus, yet I need
to ascertain how long your wheel
can move.
We may leave the machine
in the room for few days under
lock and can return on a later
date to see if wheel stops.’ Gravesande proposed.
‘As
long as stars and planets move
and material of the machine
lasts, my machine will move
forever, there is no doubt about
it.’
Orffyreus said
confidently.
‘I
do not think any necessity of
delaying the matter further
because I am convinced that
invention of the Orffyreus is
genuine.’
Count Karl expressed his
opinion; it pleased Orffyreus.
‘But,
I think 100000 thalers is a huge
amount and I should take every
care before I write my reports
to Royal Society recommending
them to buy the invention.’
Gravesande told.
‘It
is better if we unanimously take
some decision for writing our
final reports.’
Gravesande suggested
and looked in the face of Count
Karl
for his opinion.
‘Let
me tell you that about two years
ago, wheel was already kept in a
sealed room for more than a
period of six weeks.
Distinguished persons whom I had
invited, came here and examined
the machine for two days. All of
them were convinced that
Orffyreus machine is genuine.’
Karl replied
When
Orffyreus found Gravesande
wondering about the sum he had
demanded, he clarified:
‘It
is not out of greed. I want to
just fulfill my scientific
ambitions by raising a school
for the scholars and a
laboratory for me.
I need money for that.’
Orffyreus got worried what was
going to happen next.
He collected his
confidence.
‘Sir,
do you approve my perpetual
motion then?’
Orffyreus asked biting
his nails.
‘It
is not for me to approve or
disapprove perpetual motion.
Personally, I accept your
machine as a genuine case of
perpetual motion. Yet some
authority must be consulted.’
Gravesande spoke like a
diplomat.
‘I
know very well what they would
say about my invention.’
Orffyreus said
disappointedly.
‘Do
not have any doubts, we shall
treat your invention with
respect
and whatever worth it is.’ Count Karl assured.
‘Sir
you know, so far, all champions
of natural philosophy have
ridiculed this kingly mechanical
art, the perpetual motion. I have no hope that Sir
Newton, an expert in mechanics
and knowledge of gravity, will
attend to my invention with a
favorable response. My respect
for the Newton stops me to
criticize him but I am sure he
would not favorably respond
because I know, I am sure, my
machine poses a big threat to
his laws of motion.
Moreover, like the rest
of authorities he would try to
reject it, no matter how good
you describe my invention.
Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo and
Huygens have already rejected
possibility of such a machine.
My machine is in front of you; I
have demonstrated many
experiments to you also. When
you are sure of the truth, as
you all have witnessed, I see no
reason why still you need to depend on the authorities
for their expert advice? In the
field, where nothing is known,
tell me sir, who can be an
expert except the inventor
himself.’
Orffyreus expressed his
viewpoint. It rendered
all the members dumb..
‘You
are right Orffyreus; da Vinci
himself had said that experiment
is true mistress. Science knows
no authority except that of
experiment and Mr Orffyreus,
with your wonderful experiments
you are indeed an experimental
scientist par excellence.’
Count Karl appreciated.
Orffyreus
spoke to members: ‘Here I
would also like to remind you
essential message of Francis
Bacon who said-Men had been
depending for too long on the
authority of the great minds of
past and that they should rely
more on their own resources in
obtaining knowledge.
Let me give an example to
prove my point here. When
Aristotle established,
objects would fall with speeds,
which were proportional to their
weights- that a 10 pound ball
for example would fall ten times
as fast as a one pound ball.
Only after some nineteen
hundred years, we know how idea
was dismissed by Galileo who
carried a simple experiment by
dropping objects of different
weights from the top of leaning
tower of Pisa.
It is not understandable
why they deny all the
experiences and observations in
the world, and would even refuse
to look at them in order not to
have admit them, and they would
say that the laws remains just
as authorities have written, not
as nature would have it. So now sir, tell me what
you think Newton himself would
do. I do beg you not to depend
on Newton, he may have no
opinion on the subject as he has
never attempted to construct a
machine, and if he has, he would
not probably be attended to the
enquiry as he may be or may
pretend to be busy with other
works more important than this
one. I am quite content with
whatever you all think and in
what manner you evaluate my
machine in the light of the
contract.’
Orffyreus continued to
express his fears..
‘Orffyreus,
I have one question, I have been
waiting to ask you, hoping that
perhaps you would volunteer a
proper answer.’ Count Karl
asked.
‘You
may ask any thing, my
protector.’
Orffyreus replied.
‘How
have you come to make such a
significant discovery?’
‘May
be it is through some chance
factor that has helped him to
solve the big riddle of
perpetual motion. I think’
Gravesande interrupted.
‘Dear
professor, it would be wrong to undermine
marvelous achievement of
Orffyreus by attributing it to
just a chance factor. I am sure
Orffyreus is undoubtedly a great
discoverer, he has
invariably been a seeker after
knowledge and truth in a chosen
field of his own, and he has
been inspired in his labors by
the hope of something finding
new.’
Count Karl suggested.
Orffyreus
will you please tell us; why did
not you choose to write your
work in a scientific manner?
Parables has no place in
world of learning, they belong
to religion!
asked Count Karl.
“For
the evil of greed has made this
little book parable necessary.
The greedy bodiless
beings of the deep-dark
bottomless pit have rarely
ceased such activity as gnashing
their teeth upon me, spitting
upon me, and striving to
supplant me by them since I
demonstrated to the world that I
could provide "perpetual
motion". But God has helped me.
Yet, what have I done to
my mortal enemies to be so
harshly treated?
Yea, what was my
trespass?”8
Orffyreus answered.
‘May
I make a suggestion to you,
Orffyreus?’ Count Karl told.
‘Certainly
sir, Orffyreus replied.
‘I will be pretty well
obliged to you for that.’
‘Your
discovery obviously reflects a
new idea and has a high
practical value. Nevertheless, dear,
Orffyreus, if you wish to
establish yourself as scientist
you must understand that an
unexplained observation is of no
particular significance to
science.
An idea or observation
without a theoretical framework
behind it is equally devoid of
importance.
Hence, if you wish that
your discovery should
possess a real significance in
scientific world, which it
really deserves, you must have
both experimental as well as
theoretical basis.’
Count Karl suggested.
‘Thanks
for your kind suggestion, your
excellency.’
Orffyreus expressed his
gratitude.
“May
I know, what is your further
ambition and plan after getting
your money” asked Count Karl.
“Orffyreus
replied:
I
don’t for a royal realm
aspire,
For
release or for paradise,
To
serve those bent with grief I
desire,
And
calm their sorrow and help them
rise.
Let
me remind you, Excellency, King
James Bible also reads the same,
“Whether therefore ye eat, or
drink, or whatsoever ye do, do
all to the glory of God.”
This is also my
declaration of faith. My
mission in life is that of
helping to inspire the people
with a new philosophy of life
based upon my invention. Natural
philosophy must be simple;
easily understood by every one.
My invention and principle on
which it operates is quite
simple. My machine not only
helps the poor to do his daily
tasks like grinding corn,
raising water, or driving a mill
or some other machinery but also
stimulates one to think about
what is the real design and
nature of universe which itself
is like replica of my machine;
it is in state of perpetual
motion.”
‘If
you could precisely tell me what
are the basic laws on which your
wondrous invention works, tell
us if there is at all any law
you can describe?’
Gravesande asked.
“My
innermost invention though good,
the parts being good are
perfectly obedient to God in
their own realms as God is
perfectly obedient to his own
laws. From the smallest
snowflake to the largest planet,
from the greatest circling herd
to the least round
"wheel," from the most
glorious peacock tail to the
most playful pup, from the
oldest column to the newest
chain, from the slowest crab to
the fastest wind, and from the
sharpest anvil blow to the
quietest of questions, "...
all things denote there is
perpetual motion. This is
universal law of God.
My pendulum is included
in all things.”9
“My
pendulum operates on perpetual
motion law, a basic and great
law of nature. It’s
understanding drives one slowly
towards knowledge of other laws
of nature. One can better
understand force, motion and
universe if one has learnt
design of my pendulum and its
mechanism.”
‘I
am stressing the thought because
it should run like a golden
chord, as a binding force
through out the natural
philosophy. Law of perpetual
motion, which causes planets to
move, and whole universe is if
related to human beings to one
another or entire world of
living beings and non living
things, one would know that it
is the law that governs
everything in the universe.’
“My
greatest prayer is that you
catch the vision as I see it and
in due time, that you may
inspire your scholars and others
with same vision. I demand
100000 Thalers to raise my
school 'The Fortress of God'
that will teach all the useful
crafts and natural philosophy to
people of all nationalities. I
pray God for the success of
mission.” Orffyreus spoke with
heavy voice.
References:
1
See Collin’s Book: Perpetual
Motion : An Ancient Mystery
Solved ? Page 142.
3
See p. 205 of Collins’
book.
4
See
page. 194
5 See the article “Some
Thoughts on a Simple
Explanation of Bessler’s
Wheel:
Bessler’s Wheel Uncovered with an
Interpretation of Bessler’s
Little book -
A Delayed Gift to the World.”By
Alden E. Park
6
Alden E. Park’s article
7
Truimphant Orffyreum….
8
Elden E. Park’s article 9
Elden E. Park’s article
