HOUSTON, TEXAS - 6/14/2016 (PRESS RELEASE JET) -- “Freaks and curiosities of engineering,” that’s how history has labeled perpetual motion machines for centuries. Now Intech Bearing is challenging science geeks and engineers of all ages and aptitudes to create their own freakishly fascinating perpetual motion machines for a chance at winning $1,000 in prize money and—dare we say—notoriety as a modern day da Vinci. A perpetual motion machine is a hypothetical machine that can do work indefinitely without an energy source. While creating a machine that will run forever without fuel is an impossible task, that hasn’t stopped the world’s brightest and/or silliest minds from trying. “Sometimes, the most entertaining machines are those which serve no useful purpose, like perpetual motion machines,” said Steve Kroll, president of Houston-based Intech Bearing. “They are fun and captivating. Some are truly beautiful in both workmanship and movement,” he added. For those who crave good mental exercise and appreciate the artistry and creativity of the elusive perpetual motion machine, Intech Bearing’s Perpetual Motion Machine Design Competition-2016 kicks off June 15, 2016. Entries are due by 11:59 CST August 31, 2016. Contestants may submit multiple entries. Entries will be judged on originality of design, the longevity of the motion maintained and, of course, the engineering and build quality of the machine itself. First prize is $500 cash; second prize is a $300 cash; and third prize is a $200 cash. Entry is $10. Contestants will need to send a video of their machine in action. (Details are in the entry package available at www.intechbearing.com/collections/perpetual-motion-design-competition.) From the videos, three finalists will be selected. The three finalist machine entries will need to be sent to Intech Bearing via UPS, FEDEX or USPS parcel service. Thus contestants are encouraged to keep their entries to a manageable size. For this contest, there is only one hard and fast rule when designing and building perpetual motion machines: no fakery. This means no hidden motors, chemical reactions or other power sources. Complete contest rules are available at www.intechbearing.com/collections/perpetual-motion-design-competition. Located in Houston, Texas, Intech Bearing stocks ball bearings, roller bearings, plain bearings, mounted bearings, oil seals and accessories, roller chains, v-belts, couplings, retaining rings, keystock, shaft collars, chain tensioners and more. The company carries major brands like SKF and RBC as well as lesser-known bargain brands, such as ORS and KYK. To celebrate three decades in business, Intech Bearing launched a new searchable website containing thousands of parts, complete with drawings or illustrations and specifications. The website also includes educational videos, such as the proper way to measure a ball bearing. Intech offers quantity price breaks storewide on as few as 10 items. Customers can mix and match multiple sizes to qualify for the bulk discount. The company also offers free shipping on orders over $75. Ninety-plus percent of all orders ship within one business day.