Or was Moore, who once faced accusations of the mismanagement of his father's estate, hoping to find something in Keely's workshop that would make him rich beyond his imagination? Was he simply diverting other people's interests by proclaiming loudly that all was a fraud? Or were Moore and his mother indeed the victims of an elaborate conspiracy, as the unnamed Englishman wrote to Bloomfield-Moore? All of this we will probably never know, but the feeling that the expose could have been carefully orchestrated with a special purpose in mind prompted Fort to conclude: "It made no difference what else came out. Taboo had, or pretended it had, something to base itself on. Almost all people of all eras are hypnotics. Their beliefs are induced beliefs. The proper authorities saw to it that the proper belief should be induced, and people believed properly."90
The Keely Motor Company went the same way as Keely's engines and his alleged manuscript: into oblivion. But what about the sphere, that monstrous and silent device that had started it all, but which purpose still is as mysterious as the day it was found? A newspaper suggested that the sphere be brought to the laboratory of the University of Pennsylvania, "as a curiosity for exhibition."91 This was never realized, and a year later a small notice in a Philadelphia newspaper appeared: "The big, mysterious iron sphere which John W. Keely, of motor fame used in some of his experiments, is now lying in front of the little shop, 1422 N. 20th Street, which Keely once used. It is covered with advertisements."92
7
To Understand the Art Keely's Discoveries
"My system, in every part and detail, both in the developing of this power and in every branch of its utilization, is based and founded on sympathetic vibration."
Keely in, Keely's Secrets, T.P.S., 1888
"In the course of his long career Keely may have broken a number of laws, but he left the first and second laws of thermodynamics, which forbid perpetual motion machines, inviolate. "
New Encyclopedia Brittanica, 1981
There were two periods in Keely's research and experiments. The first period that ran from 1874 — or possibly earlier — involved the production of force by the disintegration of water, which was later called etheric vapor. This he accomplished with his Liberator, and we have several accounts that serve as an illustration of his experimental activities during that time. It was explained that "the etheric vapor was obtained by letting the water into the Disintegrator or Liberator at a certain pressure. There were certain chambers which it must enter first, and there were certain valves which were opened or closed next."1
A recent and more detailed suggestion of this procedure is that his hydro pneumatic pulsating vacuum engine, built at the very beginning of the first period, worked by using the infinite pressures developed from water hammer and cavitation, also referred to as implosion. The circuit of vibration energy in his Disintegrator engine could be compared to today's signal generators and synthesizers. Its aim was to disintegrate water into etheric vapor.2 Glocker, who constructed both this engine and the multiplicator, described the hydro pneumatic pulsating vacuo machine as having cylinders of 3-inch bore and 3-inch stroke, with a fly wheel of 200 pounds weight, that was able to revolve at 300 revolutions per minute.3
The etheric vapor, also called vaporic substance, that Keely discovered by accident while experimenting with his hydro pneumatic pulsating vacuo machine in 1873,4 was a most mysterious substance with almost legendary attributes. It was this etheric vapor that could drive a train of cars from Philadelphia to New York and propel a steamer across the Atlantic without fuel or sails, and could be obtained from a handful of water. "People have no idea of the power of water," Keely said, "a bucket of water has enough of this vapor to produce a power sufficient to move the world out of its course."5
The vapor had no smell or taste. Collier claimed that he frequently inhaled it without any perception of smell or taste. When he put a candle to it, the substance would not burn and did not smother its flame; "there was no heat about it — no galvanism — no electricity — no chemicals — no preparation of any kind excepting the mechanical appliances."6
Sergeant, who had also handled the vaporic substance, claimed that it was "pleasant to the touch," and furthermore he had "swallowed all I could get of Keely's vapor, and I find it is pleasant. You can live on it. ...It turns back to water, and water that I can drink."7
Expressing his amazement of the vaporic substance, Babcock mused that, "Comparing it with steam it is as different in action as it is opposite in origin. Steam is derived from heat or combustion, and so may be said to have a chemical origin; the vapor is a production of mechanical action, a spontaneous energy. Vibration, whether considered as an energy or a motion, is an inherent property or concomitant of matter, and therefore spontaneous."8
While this new and strange substance was heralded as a new source of untold power, and it could be won from water of which there was plenty, it was also sourly noted that statements about the etheric vapor were vague, consisting more of what it was not than of what it was. This, of course, would "hardly do for an adequate description of a new 'vaporic substance' of immense power, which is capable of rendering steam a thing of the past."9
The second period in Keely's research ran from 1882 until he died. He had for 10 years demonstrated the liberation of the energy on which he "stumbled over," while experimenting on vibrations in 1872. His efforts to construct a perfect engine failed. He explained that he made "the mistake of pursuing his researches on the line of invention instead of discovery; all his thoughts were concentrated in this direction up to the year 1882." Frequently, explosions occurred and he scrapped engine prototypes and sold their remains as old metal in his constant failures to construct an engine that would keep up the rotary motion of the ether.10
In this period of constant frustration, Keely discovered a force derived from the vibration of an unknown fluid or substance, locked between the atoms of the ether. This he called the vibratory force11 or the etheric force. It was this force that he claimed was not like steam, electricity, compressed air or galvanism.12 While during the first period he obtained the force through the disintegration of water, in the second period he could develop his force "in the air, in a vacuum, in the ether itself,"13 or by the vibrating of hydrogen, which he first attempted around 1884 on the suggestion of Bloomfield-Moore.14
That year, he confided to a reporter that, "Stripping the process of all technical terms, it is simply this: I take water and air, two mediums of different specific gravity and produce from them by generation an effect under vibrations that liberates from the air and water inter atomic ether. The energy of this ether is boundless and can hardly be comprehended. The specific gravity of the ether is about four times lighter than that of hydrogen gas, the lightest gas so far discovered."15 The vibratory force was produced by vibrations of the ether that "pervades the universe," and he claimed that these were so rapid, "like those attributed to light, that no cognizance can be taken of them by human sense." Objects which were "vitalized" or synchronized so as to vibrate in the ether in a certain definite relation to each other would together exert a force which, "if it can be applied the everyday business of life," would "supersede all other forms of energy, and at practically no cost..."16
Until 1888, Keely pursued "the wrong line of research," still trying to construct a "perfect engine" that could hold the ether in "a rotating ring of etheric force." Towards the end of 1888, he entirely abandoned his concept of the "perfect machine." Up to this time he practically built his research equipment himself. Then around 1888, he was to be provided with "the best instruments that opticians could make for him after the models or designs which he furnished."17 Around 1890, he also made the remarkable statement that he succeeded in linking his machines on the polar current, "sympathetically," by sensitizing his devices "as to be able to operate the machinery from that force." This polar current was described as magnetic currents that envelop the earth as "an orange is in its rind." Keely claimed that his force was the result of an interference
with this magnetic rind.18 He later stated that "the polar forces included magnetism, electricity and gravital sympathy; each stream composed of three currents, or triune streams, which make up the governing conditions of the controlling medium of the universe. ...These sympathetic streams from celestial space, percussing on the dense atmospheric environment of our earth by their infinite velocities, wrest from their atomic confinement the latent energies which we call heat and light."19
The machines that Keely built during his first period were of "megalithic proportions — one weighing 22 tons." Most were implemented by the Atlantic Works and the Delaware Iron Works of Philadelphia, and were scrapped in turn as they were superseded by smaller, more sophisticated models.
His Generator of 1878, "undoubtedly the strongest mechanism in the world," as Babcock mused, weighed about three tons and would stand "freely in a space five feet long and high by two feet wide." It contained small spherical chambers, "mathematically differentiated in size," connected vertically by "tubular processes of iron, and irregularly by smaller ones of copper. One quart of water fills all the chambers and tubes intended to be filled." The Generator, upright in position, had five distinct parts or columns, called the central column, two side columns, and the front and back stand-tubes. The stand-tubes, although similar in appearance, were opposite in action. The two side columns were alike. The central or main column was larger than the other four combined, and was "more complex in structure." Air was water-locked in some of the chambers and tubes, where, "by its elasticity, introductory impulses" were given to the water when "the equilibrium" was disturbed. This disturbance was effected by the movement of an outside lever operating a four-way valve within. There were no other metallic movements inside, except the working of three independent valves. The apparatus was therefore considered "practically without wear and not liable to get out of order."20
The Generator used but one quart of water to produce 54,000 pounds per square inch pressure. "No heat, electricity, or chemicals were used. ...Output remained constant regardless of work effected."21 Babcock stated that he "has had to use tons of metal where others required only pounds."22 The Generator was one of two mechanisms that Keely built during this period, the other being the engine. The Generator produced the force that the engine used, and these two devices were what is commonly referred to as the Keely motor. The vaporic substance was the medium of the force that it carried.23
During the second period, the miniaturization of his engines continued for a considerable degree. The Generator was a structure six feet long and correspondingly wide and high, "...which resulted in the production of a machine in 1895 not so large as a lady's round work table which he named a Liberator. Continuing his labor of evolution, within one year, he made astonishing progress.. .combining the production of the power, and the operation of the cannon, his engine and his Disintegrator in a machine no larger than a dinner plate, and only three or four inches in thickness. This instrument was completed in 1886."24 When he began experimenting with his discovery of another principle — which was one of the reasons the Keely Motor Company took him to Court — his engines became even smaller in size: "and the size of the instrument used now, in 1888, for the same purposes is no larger than an old-fashioned silver watch, such as we see in Museum collections."25
Another explanation for the miniaturization of his engines was his utilization of the new technology: "Before discarding the use of water in the production of his force, twelve 'generators' were constructed varying in weight from 175 pounds up to 34,000 pounds, with a 'receiver' weighing 7,000 additional and by which he was able to develop the enormous power of 30,000 pounds to the square inch. For this 'generator' seven or eight engines were constructed, with varying success in their operation. They all would 'run,' but not to the satisfaction of this indefatigable worker. At last, about four years ago, the discovery was made that air alone was better than the combined air and water employed before. This at once resulted in the important changes in the mechanism. The clumsy Generator of several tons weight gave place to the lighter Liberator. Of these, three have been constructed, each one more slight than its predecessor, until that at present in his laboratory weighs less than 150 pounds, while the inventor has in process of construction the fourth and last one, which 'is a perfect machine of its kind,' weighing less than seventy-five pounds, and with which he expects to produce a greater force than has ever before been shown."26 Between 1872 and 1887, no less than 124 different machines or engines had been constructed in experimenting with one Liberator.27
In his productive career, Keely built between 129 and 2,000 experimental devices, but as far as is known, never built more than one of each.28 This enormous number was reached because of the special requirements that he had; his engines needed a perfect construction, and if a device possessed but one little unevenness or imbalance, he considered the engine worthless. One of the reasons for this was that he worked with enormous pressure forces. In his search for perfection, vast sums of money were expended on machines which sometimes were never used: one device cost $40,000, but was rejected because he claimed there was "a flaw in it." He "thought nothing of spending $20,000 for a piece of machinery, and a few weeks afterwards throwing it aside as useless."29 Other devices were made of special metal alloys; his Generator was made of Austrian gun metal "in one solid piece." It would hold about ten or twelve gallons of water and was four or five inches thick, made "to handle the very heavy pressure of 20,000 to 30,000 pounds of vapor to the square inch." Other parts were made of welded iron, "of great thickness and strength."30
Then there were the adjustments made on the machinery, which was a difficult affair; "When it is considered that Keely experimented with 129 machines during his career as an inventor, and that one after another of these was made to special measurements, to be thrown into the scrap-pile... Many of these machines called for the most delicate adjustment and the most consummate skill of the artisan."31
Although Keely constructed and built his engines himself at first, he was later supplied with "the best instruments and devices for research that opticians and other skilled makers could produce, after models or designs which he furnished."32 Parts of his later devices were made by various companies like LP. Morris's Richmond Iron Works,33 the Atlantic Works, the Delaware Iron Works34 at New Castle, Delaware, and at an unspecified company in Hartford, Connecticut, where "two immense wheels of copper tubing" had been made at "enormous cost.'"35 Keely's proposed "new and large 250 horsepower engine was constructed by Newsham & Co. in Philadelphia,36 and LP. Morris's Richmond Iron Works made 'many pieces of apparatus for Keely.'" He spent much time at the Iron Works, putting the parts of his engines together himself.37 During this early period he was trying to get a powerful receiver, and LP. Morris made him a cast steel shell about 24 inches in diameter and 30 inches high which was capable of sustaining a pressure of 25,000 pounds. "It was cast in halves, flanged and bolted together, the bolts being placed quite close to one another. The joint was made with lead, through which the bolts run. "38 However, when this enormous pressure was "put upon it, the water which it contained fairly foamed as it came through the joint, looking like milk; it even came through the pores of steel, although it was three inches in thickness."39
It was also stated that the huge steel sphere, although not made by the Richmond Company, was "brought there to be finished after it was cast, and that it was put on the boring mill." Furthermore, "a great many valves" were made at I.P. Morris's Richmond Iron Works, "of a character to sustain heavy pressure, if of a large size; the great majority were small valves." The tool department of I.P. Morris's Richmond Iron Works made a "small engine" for him, with leather packing, "as if for water." The device was "vertical and would make 1400 turns a minute" and was connected with his Generator.40
Keely needed expert help to install his machinery at the laboratory, and for this he obtained the services of Albert Chance, an employee of LP. Morris's Richmond Iron Works, who took another employee w
ith him to work at Keely's workshop. The two also ran several tests on the Liberator, which was made of phosphor bronze. This remarkable device was "about seven feet in height and weighed at least 10,000 pounds."
Originally it had a large cylinder on top but this was replaced with a sphere. There were two globes on one side and three different chambers, and two heavy glass water gauges on the sides. The globes and the chambers were tested for strength, during which the lower chamber of phosphor bronze burst.41 While it was not properly explained, it was stated that "towards the last there was some hesitancy in accepting Keely's orders." After he died, a steel plate, marked "Keely" was still standing at the Richmond Company's premises, "about two inches in thickness, and six feet square."42
Of all the engines that Keely built, photographic evidence exists of only a mere fraction. The devices on these photos have wonderful names such as the Compound Disintegrator, the Vibratory Globe Machine, the Resonator, the Rotating Globe which worked through human magnetism, a number of Vibratory Discs, the Spirophone, the Pneumatic Gun, the Provisional Engine, the Globe Motor, the Vibrating Planetary Globe, the Wave Plates, the Planetary System Engine, the Liberator, the Vibrodyne or Vibratory Accumulator, the Vibratory Switch and the Sympathetic Negative Transmitter. It is the same with written descriptions of his devices; for these we have to rely largely on eyewitness accounts, scattered throughout contemporary newspapers.
Around 1894, Keely operated his Provisional Engine, which was described in a report of an annual meeting of the Keely Motor Company as "very successful" and that apparently "developed great power." This device was "not operated by the force derived from disintegrated water," but by a Sympathetic Transmitter, a "wire from which to the engine caused the latter to be put in motion."43 While the device itself has not survived, an equally puzzling description has: The Provisional Engine was composed of "the motor proper, and the transmitter, the machine rested on a heavy brass base. Here, too, was a hollow brass sphere or ball. Between the engine and the transmitter ran a series of wires, and along the base of the transmitter an array of steel rods. ...These steel rods were responsive to the touch, and compared to the ordinary musical scale, which is subject to the tuning-fork. The interior of the globe almost defied description, but out of the complex mass brass tubes and adhesive plates stood prominently. This was the shifting resonator, as Keely termed it. The tubes and plates took up the vibratory sound and carried it along with rapidity. Of these vibrations there were seven distinct kinds, said Keely, and each of these seven capable of infinitesimal division. The motor itself consisted of a heavy iron hoop, placed firmly on the plate. Within this hoop ran a drum with eight spokes. When it was once in operation, the movements of the drum were exceedingly rapid."44
Free Energy Pioneer- John Worrell Keely Page 22
