Windmills

Windmill history and development Introduction Since ancient times, man has harnessed the power of the wind to provide motive power for transportation. Likewise, the technique of grinding grain between stones to produce flour is similarly ancient, and widespread. Quite where and when these two came together in the first windmill is unknown, but a likely scenario suggests a Persian origin, from where (tradition has it) the knowledge spread back into Northern Europe as a result …

…straight sides (due to straight timber) is removed, true circular bodies are the common arrangement. However straight sided structures do occur, and even towers that start off with straight sides at the base, but change to a circular plan part way up. By using brick or stone for the body, tower mills can be built even larger and taller than smock mills, and by being a more durable building material, the mills are more weatherproof.