From:
http://www.defuniakherald.com/April1207.htmlThe power to light the world
By RON KELLEY
Walter Owens doesn't look like a man who could change the world.
He doesn't resemble Ben Franklin, Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein or even Bill Gates.
Yet, if what Walter Owens says is true, his name might be added to that pantheon of inventors.
If Walter Owens has his way, America might again bring light to the world.
Owens, a retired electrical engineer, has invented a power generator system that actually creates it's own fuel source - static electricity.
Owens says the machine can provide a complete power source for homes, businesses, planes trains and automobiles.
In fact, Owens says the applications are nearly limitless, but that's not what is important. What's important is that others are saying it, too.
The machine (Owens' small, test-model) has been tested and examined by independent electric motor experts and the results were noted in a report signed by Higinio Rodriguez, president of Gulf Coast Electric Motor Service, Inc. in Pensacola.
According to the report, the machine requires 24 volts to start the motor and only 12 volts to start the static charge.
However, it takes no amps or watts to supply the static charge.
The reports says "How long will it run and at what loss of volts and amps? No loss - indefinitely running."
Owen's self-sustaining machine produced over 4,600 watts and required no coal, oil, gas or liquid fuel and produced no pollution and no waste by-products.
By nearly anyone's standards, that qualifies as revolutionary to the point of science fiction fantasy.
Yet, Walter Owens doesn't look like someone out of a Isaac Asimov novel or some character that Robert Heinlein dreamed into existence.
Owens brought his working model to the Herald office in the back of his pick-up truck and gave a demonstration for Herald staff and WMBB-TV 13 reporter Chris Mitchell, who broadcast a report on Owens and his generator on Monday evening.
That machine, he said, could supply power to three individual homes - indefinitely.
One might assume that Owens will become fabulously wealthy and, if his generator is as efficient as it appears, that will undoubtedly occur.
However, that's the other interesting twist to this unusual tale. Owens isn't looking for mere wealth.
"I'm 84 years old and the money doesn't make any difference to me.
I was contacted by a firm in California that offered to pay me $2 million for exclusive rights," said Owens.
"But I refused. I don't want any one company to have the technology.
They'll just bury it." Instead, Owens hopes to sell his invention to a large array of individual companies and manufacturers. That way, he says, his generator can find its way into the hands of ordinary citizens.
Inventer Walter Owens with his perpetual generator. (Photo by Ron Kelley)
As for the $2 million he was already offered, Owens chuckled and said, "My wife said, 'Walt, what's wrong with you?' I said, 'Well, the good Lord told me not to take it.' And that's just the way I feel about it."
Owens' machine cost about $20,000 to build because of trial and error and the fact that some parts were designed and tooled specifically for this machine.
However, he noted that before the system is mass produced, it will be re-worked and streamlined, which will greatly reduce the production costs of individual systems.
The report by Gulf Coast Electric Motor Service noted that "power output can be significantly increased by reduction of flywheel weight and other system improvements via a research and development program."
Owens said he's gone as far as he can go with this new system, now it's up to the independent manufacturers to build and market the system so that everyone has access to this efficient, inexpensive power source.
"The 'big people' in this country has taken advantage of the little man through oil and power," said Owens. "My power bill last month was $210.74.
To me, that's outrageous - for a common man to have to pay that kind of money for electricity.
This is built for the poor man, the common man.
He's going to get the benefit of it."
Despite Owens' best intentions, the success of his system could eventually cost the jobs of thousands of traditional power company employees and industry suppliers.
Owens disagreed.
Owens said jobs will be created as his generator system is applied to existing technology - from transportation to housing.
The size of the generator will also vary, depending on its application.
He says that jobs in power company field and other related industries would remain viable as his system must be installed and monitored.
"This thing here can put millions back to work and give them a decent job and it won't tear the hearts out of the men that have to provide the end materials," he said.
He said he's looking for about 25 or 30 American and international companies that are interested in building and marketing the system.
Since the WMBB broadcast Monday, Owens said he's been contacted by a Canadian firm with plants in the U.S.
"Well," he said, "it looks like we've got the ball rolling now."
To find out more about Walter Owens and his unique power generator system, call (334) 858-3308 or 858-3721.
Injured man found in Freeport
By BRUCE COLLIER
The Walton County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) responded to a call of suspicious circumstances on the morning Monday, April 9.
At around 9:30 a.m., local residents Billy Martin and Caprice Caliendo found a white male, approximately 50 years old, near the Cotton Produce stand on U.S. 331 South.
The man was lying under a tarpaulin, and was not wearing pants.
Caliendo said he was "shaking like a leaf," and appeared to be bruised.
Deputies described his condition as "seriously injured," from cuts on his face and hand.
WCSO deputies had been in the area since 8 a.m., investigating a pool of blood outside the Bank Trust building in Freeport.
The bank is separated from the
produce stand area by a fence.
The man was airlifted to Sacred Heart.
Investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is in progress, and the WCSO is treating the case as a?criminal investigation.
Persons with any information about this incident are?asked to call WCSO at 892-8186 and ask to speak with an on-duty investigator.
Chris Mitchell of WMBB-TV Channel 13 provided some of?the material for this story.