It never ends. People will forever try to defy the laws of physics. Now, let's toss aside science for just a moment. Let's take this to bare mechanics. Even a layman knows simple mechanics. In spite of this many thousands of people are bilked out of millions of dollars every year.

One such bilker, I believe, is Steven Marks and his Magical Free Energy ... things.

Take two billiards balls, and afix a string of about 12 inches long to each of them. Tie the other ends of the strings to a board, and rest that board over two chairs. Place the two balls close enough that they're touching as they dangle from the strings. Now, lift one ball about 6 inches from the other ball. Let go of it. The other ball will move just less than 6 inches when struck by the first ball.

This proves one simple rule of mechanics (and, ironically, a physical law). For every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction. It's actually slightly less than equal because a billiards ball is not completely ideal, and there is friction from the air. Additionally, there is gravity. But what does this prove? Simply, it means that something always has to give.

The point is, there is no "ideal situation" to pull off perpetual motion. There is always some other force at work. In space the two balls would bounce off of each other for a bit longer -- assuming they stayed perfectly aligned -- because the external forces are quite a bit weaker, and space is absent air.

Let's come back to earth for a while though. Gravity is a reality. Less than ideal (as if there were such a thing) materials exist. You can't get more out of a machine than you put into it.

I've way oversimplified physical law above. To illustrate that this physical law thing isn't all that complicated when coupled with real life experiences we've had. We've never seen two objects endless react with one another. What makes anyone think they can force it to be so?

So, I was browsing through YouTube and I ran across this free energy device invented by Steven Marks. I've never heard of him. And you likely haven't either. Why not? He invented the solution to all of our energy problems. And he did it with wires, and some electrical tape. He's better than McGuyver!

He invented a device called a Toroid Generator. It's basically thousands of winds of copper wire around some metal core (presumably ferrous, i.e. iron or steel). The earth's magnetic fields supposedly induces a current in these toroidal coils. The problem is that the earth's magnetic field in a fixed location is pretty static. To induce current one must have a collapsing magnetic field. Generally this is done by running copper windings passed a stationary magnet or electromagnet. As the winding approaches the magnet(s) the more the iron is attracted, this induces a sinusoidal spike that falls as the winding moves away from the magnet. There are other more thorough descriptions of alternators elsewhere.

On the surface it appears Mr. Marks' device is quite magical. In the YouTube comments you'll read about conspiracies to hold this technology back. You'll also read arguments that ten years ago there were no batteries small enough to power these devices with enough power to light a bulb. Now, I'm no spring chicken, but I assure you that 10 years ago there were some very small batteries. Of course, none of them could generate 120 volts. However, another interesting device existed 10 years ago called an inverter. These magical devices take a small DC voltage (generally 12 volts from an automobile) and convert it to 110/120 volts, at 60Hz with enough current to power household electrical devices.

Mr. Marks' devices are nothing more than inverters. If you go to Radio Shack and have them show you an inverter, you'll be quite surprised how small they actually are. Quite clearly he could wrap all that wire around the necessary components. In other words, in those coils he could easily bury several 9 volt batteries (hooked in series-parallel for an 18V supply with a bit more staying power). I tried such a device using four 9V batteries, an 100W inverter, and a 60W light bulb. With the 9V batteries I was able to keep the bulb lit for nearly 4 minutes before it showed signs of dimming.

I theorize that enough watch batteries in series-parallel configurations could equal (and certainly exceed) the performance I achieved with the 9V batteries.

A little solder, a lot of wire, and some electrical tape and I could have had a Magical Mystical Free Energy Device!

I'm not part of a bigger conspiracy to step on the little guy. I'm one of the little guys. Don't get schnookered.