Isaiah John Ritchey of Newberg, Oregon, has carved an extraordinary and unconventional path into the world of experimental science and engineering. Homeschooled until the age of 17, he earned his GED and high school diploma before embarking on more than 26 years in the trades. Through work in remodeling, construction, and fabrication, he mastered a wide range of disciplines—metal and plastic work, welding, plumbing, electronics, and blueprinting—that would later serve as the foundation for his inventive pursuits.

From his earliest memories, Ritchey was driven by an insatiable curiosity and a love for creation. As a child, he built with Legos, dismantled household gadgets, and constantly explored how things worked. By his teenage years, he was experimenting with electricity and Tesla coils, chasing the spark of discovery that would eventually ignite a lifelong passion for innovation.

That same passion has carried him into one of the most daring and controversial frontiers of modern science: the quest to replicate the Searl Effect Generator. First envisioned by John R. R. Searl and long surrounded by extraordinary claims of limitless energy and advanced propulsion, the SEG remains one of the great enigmas of alternative technology. Guided by determination, faith, and a relentless drive to uncover hidden truths, Ritchey has risen to be recognized as one of the world’s foremost experimental builders in this field. His journey reflects not only a pursuit of bold ideas but also the spirit of perseverance, vision, and wonder that fuels all true pioneers.

Professional Experience and Craftsmanship

Ritchey’s professional foundation rests in skilled trades and craftsmanship. His career in construction and fabrication honed his ability to bring complex projects to life—from precision cabinetry and furniture to advanced hobby projects. Among his creative achievements are detailed Star Trek and Star Wars replicas, an intricately designed time machine model requiring more than three years to complete, and experimental builds exploring electrical and magnetic systems.

These years of hands-on work provided Ritchey with the practical skills, patience, and resourcefulness required to tackle one of the most complex experimental engineering challenges of modern fringe science.

Advancing the Searl Effect Generator Project

At the top of Ritchey’s list of projects is his replication of the Searl Effect Generator (SEG), a legendary device first proposed by John Searl in the mid-20th century. The SEG is said to use magnetic rollers and stators arranged in concentric rings to produce energy and even antigravity effects—a claim that has inspired generations of researchers and skeptics alike.

In May 2024, Ritchey gained recognition for his demonstration of a single-ring SEG prototype, which exceeded 570 RPM—a remarkable leap forward compared to earlier builds that had managed only around 180 RPM. This work showcased his growing expertise in roller design and magnetic striping, highlighting the importance of precisely arranging alternating magnetic fields to achieve stability and efficiency.

The following year, in August 2025, he built on that progress with a pair of demonstrations that drew further attention to his work. In a detailed lab walkthrough, he explained the principles of roller and stator magnetization, while in a separate high-speed test he achieved an extraordinary 25,000 RPM, proving that magnets could remain cool and stable even under extreme rotational stress. Together, these achievements underscored not only the viability of his designs but also his steady advancement toward building a fully functional multi-ring SEG.

These demonstrations—spanning 2024 and 2025—mark important milestones in Ritchey’s ongoing mission to validate John Searl’s legendary claims of clean energy and potential propulsion while refining the engineering foundations of the SEG for future development.

Collaborations and Community

Ritchey has not pursued his research in isolation. Over the years, he has collaborated with a network of innovators and researchers including Jarod Yates, Josh Varner, James Ovenden, Jason Verbelli, Fernando Morris, Matthias Beige, and the late P.R. Jaya Kumar. These collaborations reflect his commitment to open exploration and community exchange in a field often marked by secrecy and skepticism.

Looking ahead, Ritchey hopes to not only complete a half-scale three-ring SEG with imprinted frequencies but also to use his knowledge to assist others in the field. His long-term vision is humanitarian: applying advanced energy technologies to help people in developing nations and, eventually, to bring practical solutions to his own community and beyond.

Faith, Values, and Personal Passions

Beyond his workshop and experiments, Ritchey grounds his life in his Christian faith and his devotion to family. He emphasizes becoming a better husband, helping people in need, and integrating his belief in God into his personal and professional journey. His life philosophy stresses trust, humility, and growth:

• “In my experience of life the answer you’re seeking is usually right in front of you, waiting for you to find it.”

• “Trust God—He’ll make you look good.”

• “If I am found to be trustable with the smallest of things and details, later I will be trusted with much larger things and bigger details.”

Recognition and Outreach

Ritchey has shared his work through numerous interviews and public talks, including appearances at TeslaTech 2024 and in media interviews that spotlight his SEG research and other projects. He also maintains an online presence on YouTube and TikTok, where he documents his builds, explains experimental concepts, and connects with a growing community of enthusiasts and researchers.

Conclusion

Isaiah Ritchey’s journey—from a self-taught tinkerer and contractor to an experimental researcher chasing the promise of the Searl Effect Generator—demonstrates the power of persistence, craftsmanship, and vision. His recognition for high-RPM SEG demonstrations in 2024 and the breakthroughs of 2025 mark him as one of the few experimenters bridging the gap between theory and demonstration. His blend of practical skills, creative drive, and faith-based purpose makes him not only a builder of machines but also a builder of possibilities. As his SEG work continues to evolve, Ritchey stands as part of a new generation of independent experimenters striving to bring bold, unconventional ideas into reality.

Links:

• Wood, Brass & Glass On YouTube