Stanley Meyer (1940–1998) was an American inventor who became widely known for claiming that he had developed a technology capable of running a vehicle using water as its main fuel source. His invention is often referred to as the “water fuel cell,” and it attracted attention from alternative energy supporters as well as strong criticism from the scientific community.
Meyer said that his system worked by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, which could then be used as fuel in an internal combustion engine. Unlike conventional electrolysis, which requires a significant amount of electrical energy, Meyer claimed his method used electrical pulses and resonance to break the bonds of the water molecule far more efficiently. According to him, this meant that water could be used as a cheap and abundant source of energy.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Meyer demonstrated a dune buggy that he said was powered by this technology. These demonstrations gained media attention and attracted investors. Meyer also obtained several patents related to hydrogen generation and fuel systems. However, holding a patent does not prove that an invention works as claimed; it only protects the idea or design.
Scientists and engineers who examined Meyer’s claims argued that they violated basic laws of physics and chemistry. Water is already a stable compound, and splitting it requires at least as much energy as can be recovered later. Independent tests failed to confirm Meyer’s results. In 1996, a court in Ohio ruled against Meyer in a fraud case, concluding that his device did not function as he claimed, and he was ordered to return investors’ money.
Meyer died in 1998, reportedly from a cerebral aneurysm. His sudden death led to speculation and conspiracy theories, with some supporters suggesting foul play, although no evidence has supported these claims.
Today, Stanley Meyer remains a controversial figure. To some, he is seen as a visionary inventor whose work was suppressed. To others, he is an example of how extraordinary energy claims must be supported by clear, reproducible scientific evidence. His story is often used as a case study in discussions about alternative energy, pseudoscience, and the importance of scientific verification.
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