Perpetual Motion Machines
(...until the batteries go dead.)

In the beginning of the 19th century, the abbot Zamboni, an Italian physicist,  developed a method of making Volta Piles (Early batteries) by using very thin metal foil and paper. Using this method he was able to create piles of over 2000 layers that stood less than 12" tall.
 

Batteries of such a high voltage created an electrostatic charge on their terminals. Taking advantage of this , Zamboni manufactured an instrument composed of two Volta piles alternatively attracting a pendulum situated between them. The mechanism formed the basis for the first electrostatic clocks.   Some say these "perpetual motion" machines  worked non-stop for more  than 100 years.    The piles are by now exhausted, and it's possible to take one out from the tube. These very rare pieces formed the earliest research on very high voltage batteries and today only a few examples  survive.

Perpetual Motion Machines 1st Qtr 19th Century