Posted by ovyyus (150.101.146.215) on July 14, 2003 at 15:50:58:
In Reply to: Re: Measurement Variations posted by Scott Ellis on July 14, 2003 at 11:46:52:
Hi Scott,
Yes, the various reports of the time can be extremely vague and sometimes include seemingly conflicting information. I think the problem may in part be due to the fact that Bessler created and demonstrated several wheels that were all different sizes. Also, it seems that the two types of wheel produced, uni-direction and dual-directional, have confused reports even further.
I can accept small discrepencies in the reported sizes, it is to be expected, IMO. I can even accept variations in reports of the more intangible (and perhaps subjective) attributes such as speed and load. But the question fired at me had to do with the obviously huge difference between our presented information relating to the diameter of the Draschwitz and the Merseberg wheels. We seem to disagree by about a factor of two!
Bessler reported these two wheels (Draschwitz and Merseberge) as being 5 and 6 *ells* diameter respectively, that's 9.3 feet diameter and 11.15 feet diameter, based on 1 ell = 22.3 inches. You have them at 5 feet and 6 feet diameter which, respectfully, I think is a mistake.
I think you already know that I am suspicious of (and usually discard as untrustworthy) information that comes from sources such as Gould, Frank Edwards, etc. After having been involved with researchers in the alt energy field for many years I have seen how 2nd and 3rd hand jounalistic reported facts can vary so greatly from actual facts. An entertaining story is not always a factually accurate one. My position is that reports sourced to actual witnesses and examiners of the time, including Bessler, are the most reliable.
Regards, ovyyus
: Hi Bill,
: The data on my website comes from 4 main sources:
:
: Unless I made a transcription error somewhere (quite possible!), all of the data on my sebsite is supported by at least one of these sources.
: Since the units of measurement in Bessler's day were subjective and subject to local variation, I tend to agree with John that it might be nearly impossible to arrive at any definitive conclusions about the various measurements that were taken.
: However, I also agree with you that it would be a worthwhile exercise to at least "try" to rectify the various discrepancies we have encountered.
: Please just let me know what I can do to help.
: Thanks,
: Scott
: : Hi Scott,
: : I recently recieved an email from someone asking why the various wheel measurements listed on orffyre.com are so different to those on besslerwheel.com. I'm sure you'd agree it's a pretty good question.
: : Do you think it's possible to resolve these discrepencies, based on the available historical information? Or do you think there will always be subjective variations that will prevent exact knowledge on the matter?
: : My feeling is that we have enough solid historical data to make firm conclusions.
: : Thanks Scott.
: : Regards, ovyyus