J. E. Yandell

James Eli Yandell (December 20, 1849 - May 25, 1935) was an American farmer, resident at Hickory Barrens, Greene Co., Missouri, who claimed success in the invention of perpetual motion in 1894.

Press Coverage

 * "Perpetual motion has been accomplished at last and in the next few months J. E. Yandell, a substantial farmer of Hickory Barrens, will rattle into Washington on a perpetual motion machine at the rate of 100 miles a minute and demand a patent from the government authorities. This is Mr. Yandell's version of the affair but there are many, nevertheless, who will still insist that perpetual motion is a delusion and a snare and as impossible of accomplishment as a flying machine. Mr. Yandell came into Recorder of Deeds T. S. Wilson's office yesterday and said that he wanted some action taken, whatever could be, to protect his perpetual motion invention until he could get a patent, as he feared someone might jump in ahead of him and beat him to his patent. The recorder informed him that his office had no power in the matter and referred him to an attorney. Then Mr. Yandell pulled out a small infernal machine looking instrument made of clock wheels, etc., and put it down on the table under the recorder's nose, who, thinking his days had come, calmly turned his eyes to heaven. Then Mr. Yandell rubbed one of the wheels hard against the table and the whole thing began action and sputtered around like a kettle of cod fish. That was all, however. Mr. Yandell declined to explain the details of the machine but went around to the county court and held a consultation with Judge A. B. Appleby, who is said to be thinking seriously of giving Mr. Yandell the necessary financial backing to bring the matter to a focus, and after this conference had closed Mr. Yandell submitted to a short interview. He is an intelligent man of about 55 and does not appear to be a dreamer. He said he disliked publicity at the present as it might serve to bring him into ridicule. As he had not yet obtained a patent he, of course, did not give the details of his invention. He said that he had been studying mechanics for several years but was only lately that he had perfected perpetual motion. He had taken one or two close personal friends into his confidence and they were certain that he had hit the bull's eye and would soon be a millionaire. The little machine he said which had alarmed Recorder Wilson so much was only part of his machine and in fact did not contain the essential feature. 'A perpetual motion machine,' said Mr. Yandell, 'must generate its own power. My machine will do this and will revolutionize the power of the world. It can so be arranged as to run mills, factories, railroads or whenever power is necessary, taking the place of steam and electricity. I am handicapped for want of funds but I expect to overcome this finally. In a few months I will have an iron model completed which will weigh about 200 pounds. This will be a sort of carriage which will carry me to Washington at a high rate of speed. It will have to run on a track but I am satisfied that I can make arrangements with the railroad companies to allow me to pass over their tracks. The first power in my machine generates two other powers and can bring into action still another if necessary.'"