Thomas Bisbing

Thomas Jefferson Bisbing (August 5, 1829 - March 26, 1920) was an American farmer and inventor of what was described as a perpetual motion machine based on airflow (draft) through a tube. Bisbing and his business partner, J. E. Campbell, were reported to have founded the Perpetual Motion Exhibit Co. to raise funds to exhibit the machine at the World's Columbian Exposition (Chicago World's Fair of 1893).

Press Coverage

 * "Thomas Bisbing was busily engaged on his marvelous invention, that of perpetual motion, when we drove up to his residence. In a good sized tent is his model, where it runs from sun to sun without a slight rest. The philosophy of the invention is based upon the inevitable draft of a flue. The wheel is horizontally arranged in a hollow tube about 20 inches in diameter which curves outward an then extends some thirty feet perpendicularly. The draft or suction gives the wheel perpetual motion. A very wealthy company has been organized at Aurora, Ill., to take hold of this invention and Mr. Bisbing's fortune is assured. Mr. Bisbing is a Pennsylvanian by birth and here we had the pleasure of pertaking of a genuine old fashioned Pennsylvania dinner prepared by his wife and accomplished daughter. Mr. Bisbing is also a prosperous farmer."
 * "Thomas Bisbing was busily engaged on his marvelous invention, that of perpetual motion, when we drove up to his residence. In a good sized tent is his model, where it runs from sun to sun without a slight rest. The philosophy of the invention is based upon the inevitable draft of a flue. The wheel is horizontally arranged in a hollow tube about 20 inches in diameter which curves outward an then extends some thirty feet perpendicularly. The draft or suction gives the wheel perpetual motion. A very wealthy company has been organized at Aurora, Ill., to take hold of this invention and Mr. Bisbing's fortune is assured. Mr. Bisbing is a Pennsylvanian by birth and here we had the pleasure of pertaking of a genuine old fashioned Pennsylvania dinner prepared by his wife and accomplished daughter. Mr. Bisbing is also a prosperous farmer."
 * "Thomas Bisbing was busily engaged on his marvelous invention, that of perpetual motion, when we drove up to his residence. In a good sized tent is his model, where it runs from sun to sun without a slight rest. The philosophy of the invention is based upon the inevitable draft of a flue. The wheel is horizontally arranged in a hollow tube about 20 inches in diameter which curves outward an then extends some thirty feet perpendicularly. The draft or suction gives the wheel perpetual motion. A very wealthy company has been organized at Aurora, Ill., to take hold of this invention and Mr. Bisbing's fortune is assured. Mr. Bisbing is a Pennsylvanian by birth and here we had the pleasure of pertaking of a genuine old fashioned Pennsylvania dinner prepared by his wife and accomplished daughter. Mr. Bisbing is also a prosperous farmer."
 * "Thomas Bisbing was busily engaged on his marvelous invention, that of perpetual motion, when we drove up to his residence. In a good sized tent is his model, where it runs from sun to sun without a slight rest. The philosophy of the invention is based upon the inevitable draft of a flue. The wheel is horizontally arranged in a hollow tube about 20 inches in diameter which curves outward an then extends some thirty feet perpendicularly. The draft or suction gives the wheel perpetual motion. A very wealthy company has been organized at Aurora, Ill., to take hold of this invention and Mr. Bisbing's fortune is assured. Mr. Bisbing is a Pennsylvanian by birth and here we had the pleasure of pertaking of a genuine old fashioned Pennsylvania dinner prepared by his wife and accomplished daughter. Mr. Bisbing is also a prosperous farmer."
 * "Thomas Bisbing was busily engaged on his marvelous invention, that of perpetual motion, when we drove up to his residence. In a good sized tent is his model, where it runs from sun to sun without a slight rest. The philosophy of the invention is based upon the inevitable draft of a flue. The wheel is horizontally arranged in a hollow tube about 20 inches in diameter which curves outward an then extends some thirty feet perpendicularly. The draft or suction gives the wheel perpetual motion. A very wealthy company has been organized at Aurora, Ill., to take hold of this invention and Mr. Bisbing's fortune is assured. Mr. Bisbing is a Pennsylvanian by birth and here we had the pleasure of pertaking of a genuine old fashioned Pennsylvania dinner prepared by his wife and accomplished daughter. Mr. Bisbing is also a prosperous farmer."