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

• "PERPETUAL MOTION. The Machine Invented by a Kansas Man, of Course.", Atchinson Daily Champion (Atchinson, Kan.): 5, 14 May 1891, https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/109671767 
• "A KANSAS INVENTION. The "Cyclone Self-Generating Power," a New Discovery.", Athinson Daily Champion (Atchinson, Kan.): 5, 11 July 1891, https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/109674650 
• "PERPETUAL MOTION FOR ELGIN. As Soon as $1,000,000 Is Subscribed, a Factory Will Be Erected.", The Times (Clay Center, Kan.): 2, 30 July 1891, https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/71568593 
• "PERPETUAL MOTION AT LAST.", Logan Republican (Logan, Kan.): 2, 30 July 1891, https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/240008476, "Like all inventors of 'perpetual motion' machines, he met with the usual obstacle at the patent office department, and it was sometime before they would admit tha this device was 'perpetual motion,' by the commissioner of patents. The number of his applicaton is 393,646." 
• "His Marvelous Invention", Frankfort Bee (Frankfort, Kan.): 2, 10 Dec. 1891, https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/280409504 
  

  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.

• "Perpetual Motion Exhibit Co.", Frankfort Bee (Frankfort, Kan.): 1, 31 Mar. 1892, https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/280416089, "J. E. Campbell, secretary of the Perpetual Motion Exhibit Co., returned from Clay Center, last Thursday. He has been selling stock, and reports excellent success. The object is to exhibit the wonderful Bisbing Perpetual Motion invention at the World's Fair." 
• "Frankfort to the front as usual.", Frankfort Bee (Frankfort, Kan.): 8, 31 Mar. 1892, https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/280416296