Adam Savage Reviews a 'Perpetual Motion' Machine!

Adam unboxes a "perpetual motion" machine simulator after watching this device featured on @SteveMould's channel, and delights in the elegance of its design. Of course, this machine actually runs on batteries, but it cleverly hides its method of operation and produces a very satisfying motion loop! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Shot by Adam Savage and edited by Norman Chan
Music by Jinglepunks

Join this channel to support Tested and get access to perks:

Intro bumper by Abe Dieckman

Thanks for watching!

[mattbell]

The fact that you couldn't get your perpetual motion machine working because you didn't have a battery is perfectly hilarious

[IroAppe]

I don't know why, but it's so satisfying to watch that marble go and jump around. There are two satisfying things:

1. The circling into the hole
2. The perfect jump and landing and catch

[ElvesofZion]

Big fan of Steve. A proper collab with Adam would be amazing

[flutterguy]

Adam liking Steve is not surprising, but I bet after seeing this Steve will feel like he was just given an award.

[arrayofemotions]

I love this gadget because the motion of the ball is so fluid you don't really question the fact that under normal physics the ball would never fly back up that far (as Adam demonstrates when it's not on).

[kimbearlysue]

Unfortunately my son has had the privilege of staying in several children's hospitals and each one had a complex perpetual motion machine. One was 2 stories tall. It always amazed me that no matter how many times I watched it I would find another little surprise. Thanks for allowing us to appreciate this machine even at its simplest form.

[Robalogot]

Nothing is more satisfying when design and engineering come together in simplicity

[chilliewilly]

I love how organic Adam's videos are. They just make me smile from the beginning to end.

[PierceArner]

Adam is someone who is capable of absolutely _rockin'_ a Doc Brown!

[Animaniac-vdst]

Steve Mould is such a great Science communicator.
Half of his stuff is just silly small things - but from time to time he goes FAR deeper than i would have expected and he just explains quantum mechanical oddities and what not (just to explain something seemingly simple).
And suddenly you realize that he has a masters degree in physics and didn't forget it all.

[lucitribal]

I love how Adam's hair is matching his enthusiasm today 😂

[Vitaee]

That is a thing of beauty. Absolute piece of art just from the way it's constructed. And it's very meditative as well.

[Scott_Forsell]

In this house we obey the laws of thermodynamics!

[dragonblaster-vuwz]

It still amazes me how a single video on youtube can make a small shop blow up in popularity. I never would've heard of this product had it not been for Steve Mould's video. I probably wont pick one up myself, but it's still a need item for a desk

[Dank_Lulu]

I'm really happy Adam put into words the thing I was thinking about this machine! Its design is to the point in the best of ways. Also, seeing Adam support other makers whose work he appreciates never gets old!

[Deinonuchus]

When the power is on you can hear the ball bearing (or "bearing ball" if you're The Hydraulic Press guy) accelerating as it rides the rail. And Steve's channel is a lot of fun. Not surprised you're a fan.

[paradigmcustomscales]

I am glad we could help you come to the conclusion that a THIRD battery draw will resolve your organizational needs. Happy Thanksgiving

[kingawsume]

On your tangent about design, I remember reading a quote from a source I have long since lost and forgotten: "A good design is one that's has everything it needs. A great design is one that has had everything stripped away until it is JUST what it needs" or something to the effect thereof. It's an incredibly important ethos I've adopted for my own projects.

[johnburn]

The real trick of a perpetual motion machine is where you hide the batteries and the motor.

[bartreardon]

At 5:47 - In software development we call that "rubber duck debugging". You have a rubber duck handy, and when you have a problem you explain it to the duck and more often than not, you get the answer you need 🙂