Physics & Mechanics
Early perpetual-motion wheel proposal
1150 CEBhaskara IISiddhanta ShiromaniPan-Indian / unspecified
1150
Described a self-rotating wheel with mercury-filled spokes intended to run forever.
- Dated
- 1150
- As scholars put it
- 1150 CE
- Originator
- Bhaskara II
- Source text
- Siddhanta Shiromani
- Region
- Pan-Indian / unspecified
- Discipline
- Physics & Mechanics
- Evidence
- Plausible precursor
- Confidence
- Medium
- Verification
- Reference-cited
Meanwhile in the West
Similar perpetual-motion devices were proposed later in medieval Europe.
Fair to say
Perpetual motion is physically impossible; this is notable as an early attempt, NOT a working invention.
Path to modern innovation
Historically important — as an instructive failure.
Transmission
Among the earliest recorded perpetual-motion designs.
Primary sources
References
- 1Siddhanta Shiromani (1150)
Further reading
Corrections and additional sources: edit IND-050 on GitHub.