h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I recently saw a program about different types of perpetual motion devices and their authenticity. Two of the desings that seemed to fit the bill involved various types of springs. My question is, will the springs that drive these devices not lose their tension over long periods of time? Does the force generated by a spring disapate or do they remain eternaly springy? And if not, wont these devices come to a halt eventualy? Is there some major concept im missing?

I don't know the programmes you are referring to, but the answer to your questions is definitely that they will lose their energy, they will not remain eternally springy and they will come to a halt eventually.

There is a "law" in science called the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics that states, quite categorically, that all actions tend to result in energy being lost irretrievably to the environment, i.e. that entropy will always increase. It has yet to be disproved.

that was what i assumed, but since this is such a blatantly obvious reason why these devices will eventually stop, why would anyone pay them any heed?

Everyone would love the idea of something that works without needing to replenish it with more energy - no batteries, no electricity bills, no winding down of the clockwork. It's a bit of a holy grail for some. As for the people who would build a so-called Perpetual Motion Machine? Money, and notoriety perhaps?