#800 Windmills

When I say the word windmills, what comes to mind? Do you think of those ancient looking buildings dotting the hillsides of Holland where Dutch farmers would grind wheat into flour for baking? Or do you think of those sleek, modern windmills that are appearing in small towns around the world powering those towns’ lights and other electrical devices efficiently? Maybe you are picturing a windmill out on the dusty mid-west plains in the U.S.? Personally, I like all types but the ones that make me smile are those quaint ones along the Dutch countryside and on the jelly jar logos at my local farmers market.

I have always liked windmills; with their solid brick build and oversized blades, what’s not to like? I think they have an appearance that lends to a much simpler time when farmers relied on the wind for power to pump water or to turn their mills and create the ingredients they needed to feed their families. Windmills have always been a part of the Dutch culture but that isn’t where they got their start. The earliest use of a windmill was in ancient Greece when the Greek engineer, Heron of Alexandria, used a wind-driven wheel to power a machine.

Even then, the history of vertical windmills is still unclear as many historians state windmills were first used by the Middle Eastern villagers in Persia before they were ever used in European cities. Other historians will state that the earliest certain reference to a windmill in Europe dates from 1185, in the former village of Weedley in Yorkshire. Wherever they got their start, I am glad they did and that they stuck around for so long proving how useful they really were.

Now, we see the familiar windmill image on everything from yogurts and jams, to paints, Dutch restaurants and more. It may be in many different shapes and styles, but the same design invented centuries ago, can still be seen. Even in today’s modern electricity producing windmills, you can still see the vanes, the tower and the gearing that converts wind energy into mechanical energy to produce a product (being electricity in today’s windmills). Now, whether you like the old style windmills with their classic charm, or the modern windmills creating inexpensive electricity, it is still something to smile about.

Have you ever visited a windmill? Where was it located and what was your experience? Leave a comment and share your opinion and experience. Would love to hear from you.