“Famous” has a necessary element of public awareness about it. Unfortunately there are many credible examples of ZPE devices that are not widely known because they had been suppressed or derailed by government actions before they could become implemented.
One of the most newsworthy is the water combustion engine approach of Stan Meyer. He certainly garnered a fair amount of attention in the press and local news stations. He was effective at publicizing his work. Unfortunately, as with many inventors in the area, he died (stating that he was poisoned as he died outside a restaurant when meeting with whom he thought were investors) during the height of fundraising. It was reported that his lab was raided shortly after his death and that at least some of his equipment and documentation were taken. There is unconfirmed speculation that the those who raided the facility were government agents.
Others include:
- Eugene Mallove who was killed in a what was officially described as a robbery. There are claims that essential materials relating to cold fusion disappeared shortly after his death.
- Floyd Sweet – his VTA equipment and documents stolen immediately after death
- T. Henry Moray – harassed by government, devices and records seized after death. Equipment destroyed by thugs. His work was subject to USPTO Secrecy Order
- Joseph Westley Newman- reportedly died of suicide just prior to presenting work and device at meeting
There are also many more inventors with credible inventions who were not famous, whose work was suppressed either through legal means or blatant intimidation.