History of Thermodynamics: Gas Laws, Timeline of Thermodynamics, History of Perpetual Motion Machines, History of Entropy, Timeline of Heat Engin

Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Pages: 22. Chapters: Gas laws, Timeline of thermodynamics, History of perpetual motion machines, History of entropy, Timeline of heat engine technology, Caloric theory, Mechanical equivalent of heat, Aeolipile, Theory of heat, Vis viva. Excerpt: The history of perpetual motion machines dates back to the Middle Ages. For millennia, it was not clear whether perpetual motion devices were possible or not, but the development of modern theories of thermodynamics has indicated that they are impossible. Despite this, many attempts have been made to construct such machines, continuing into modern times. Modern designers and proponents often use other terms, such as over-unity, to describe their inventions. The magic wheel, a wheel spinning on its axle powered by lodestones, appeared in 8th century Bavaria. The wheel was supposed to rotate perpetually; in fact, it did rotate for a long time, but friction inevitably eventually stopped it. Early designs of perpetual motion machines were done by Indian mathematician-astronomer Bhaskara II, who described a wheel (Bh skara's wheel) that he claimed would run forever. A drawing of a perpetual motion machine appeared in the sketchbook of Villard de Honnecourt, a 13th century French master mason and architect. The sketchbook was concerned with mechanics and architecture. Following the example of Villard, Peter of Maricourt designed a magnetic globe which, if it were mounted without friction parallel to the celestial axis, would rotate once a day. It was intended to serve as an automatic armillary sphere. Leonardo da Vinci made a number of drawings of devices he hoped would make free energy. Leonardo da Vinci was generally against such devices, but drew and examined numerous overbalanced wheels. Mark Anthony Zimara, a 16th century Italian scholar, proposed a self-blowing windmill. After 1635, many Eng...