Posted by John Collins (194.164.232.108) on October 23, 2003 at 00:24:53:
In Reply to: Re: Question for John Collins posted by ovyyus on October 22, 2003 at 19:12:30:
Hi Bill,
AS far as I can recall there was a three foot (approx) wheel (one way) at Gera, followed by a five foot wheel at Draschwitz (one way), followed by a six foot wheel at Merseberg (two way) and finally a twelve foot (approx) wheel (two way) at Kassel. I had not noticed the descrepancy in our two versions 'til now, but I'm fairly certain of the above version of wheel building. Having said that there was a suspicion of another wheel in existence at Kassel around the time of the arrest and also another small one was in existence at the time of his death.
Bill I'll check these facts and get back to you.
John C.
: Hi John,
: There is mention of Bessler exhibiting a second wheel at Gera in response to criticism that his first wheel was too weak and impractical. It was referred to as being about 5 feet diameter. Very little other info seems available on it other than the criticism that it was, like his first wheel, not very powerful.
: My impression is that Bessler quickly moved on from this second Gera wheel to his larger and more impressive third wheel at Draschwitz. As you know, I've outlined what I believe to be Bessler's sequence wheel exhibitions at www.orffyre.com/measurements.html (I have not included mention of the smaller one-direction wheel that Bessler apparently constructed well after he ceased his public wheel-related activities)
: Would you agree with the wheel sequence as I have outlined it - that there was a second wheel exhibited at Gera? As you know I'm always trying to keep my info as close to the available historical facts as possible and any corrections and/or clarifications are most welcome.
: Regards, ovyyus
:
: : In my book I quote from a letter from a witness describing the Merseberg wheel (the third wheel) as having an axle of six inches thickness and Bessler himself describes the Kassel wheel(the fourth wheel) as being eight inches thick.
: : John C.
: :
: : : Of the first three wheels, is there any information on how thick their axles were?
: : : Thanx!