Perpetual motion refers to the concept of a machine or device that can operate indefinitely without an external energy source. This idea violates the laws of thermodynamics, particularly the first and second laws, which state that energy cannot be created or destroyed and that systems tend to move towards increased entropy. As a result, no perpetual motion machine has ever been successfully created. Inventors throughout history, including figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Robert Hooke, have attempted to design perpetual motion machines. Despite their creativity, all proposed designs have ultimately failed due to the inherent energy losses from friction, air resistance, and other factors. Thus, perpetual motion remains an impossible dream in the realm of physics.