THE
WINDMILL
OF
THE
NETHERLANDS
At one time there was over 9000 windmills in the Netherlands. Now there are less than 1000 windmills left. They have been there for a few hundred years
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 of the Crusades. (Of course wind was not the first non-human power source applied to the task of grinding corn - it was preceeded by both animal power, and in all probability by water power).
European millwrights became highly skilled craftsmen, developing the technology tremendously, and as Europeans set off colonizing the rest of the globe, windmills spread throughout the world.
The pinnacles of windmill design include those built by the Dutch (who used windmills extensively to pump water as well grind flour) and the British, who developed many advanced "automatic control" mechanisms over the centuries.
As steam power developed, the uncertain power of the wind became less and less economic, and we are left today with a tiny fraction of the elegant structures that once extracted power from the wind. These remaining windmills, scattered througout the world, are a historic, and certainly very photogenic, reminder of a past technological age.
TYPES OF MILLS
WATERMILLS
Watermills are found only in the Eastern and Southern Provinces . These places are where there is a sufficient flow of water to drive the wheel of the mill. There are about 80 left of these types of mills; the majority in Limburg.
WINDMILLS
There is still a great variety of windmills. The names are rather complicated and stem from the construction;apperance; or function of the mill.
Here are the most Prominent types of Windmills.
1. POST MILL
The oldest type of mill in the Netherlands; were already in use in the year 1200. It is a square mill that rest upon a strong vertical wooden spindle. strong quater bars keep the standerd in it's vertical position.
2. WIP MILL
This type of mill evolved from the post mill. The rectangular mill house; is quite noticable.
3. MEADOW MILL OR AANBERENGERTJE
This mill is a frainage mell but it's work is restrictied. It brings water from the low lying parts in the ditches on the general level to the polder.
They are found mostly in the province of Noord-Holland.
4. TJASKER
This is another small polder mill; also used for draining or irrigation of reed land. It is made one one long axle. These mills are seen in the Fiesland and Noord-Overijssel part of the Netherlands.
5. PALTROK
These mills are exculsivly timber saw mills...There are only 4 still in Existance.
6. GROUND-SAILERS
These mills are found in places where there is little or nothing to obstruct the wind. They are built directly at ground level.
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7. SMOCK MILLS
These mills stand high where obstacles such as trees; or buildings block the wind. It usually raises 22 meters above ground level.
8. BERG OR BELT MILLS
Has the same function of a smock mill. used mostly for corn mills
9. TOWER MILLS
This is a brick cylindrical mill. There are only 4 left in the Netherlands.
10. HEXAGONAL OR OCTAGONAL TOP WHEELERS
A group of various mills fall under this name. The common fact is the top part;the can; can turn to face the wind. Found mainly in Noord0Holland.