Cornelis Jacobszoon Drebbel

perpetual motion the motion of a hypothetical machine which, once activated, would run forever unless subject to an external force or to wear; although impossible according to the first and second laws of thermodynamics, the development of such a mechanism has been attempted by many inventors. The Dutch philosopher and inventor Cornelis Drebbel (1572–1634), in England in the early 17th century, was said to have perfected such a device, which he presented to the king, and which became one of the sights of the day.

Cornelis Jacobszoon Drebbel , 1572-1634, Dutch inventor, physicist, and mechanician. His major inventions were an atmospherically driven clock and the first navigable submarine ; the first voyage was in 1620. His other inventions include thermostats used to make self-regulating ovens, as well as various optical instruments. He also discovered a process for making scarlet dye that was used for many years by the dye industry.