 The Story of Windmills!
Historians think windmills have been used by mankind as far back as 900 AD. The Netherlands (Holland) was first recognized as a country in 158.,As you can see, Ye Ole windmills that we've become so accustomed to are not the innovations of the Dutch, but a product of a bygone age from much futher back in time. It's probably one of the few ancient ideas that are still very much a part of twenty first century living.
It's often said that the best ideas are the simple ones. In fact the most complex designs and structures in anything usually start with a simple idea. Take the wheel for example. A windmill is not a complicated creation as far as an engineering feat goes, but what does from the way it is made, is truly remarkable. Old windmills are also beautiful, enchanting even, by their mere presence on many a landscape. How many buildings can claim such an appeal that even hundreds of years later they are being advertised in the shop window of real estate agents? Windmills for Sale! That's right, they are being converted into homes, offices, and trendy restaurants, and because most are on the listed buildings list, they are not allowed to be renovated in a way that will distract from their original form.
Today's 'new' windmills are being constructed for quite another purpose of those the old grain grinding, water pumping workhorses of the past. It’s all to do with wind energy, or green energy if you like. The windmills history will have a new story to tell in future generations when documentaries and illustrated articles talk about the introduction of the power generating windmills of the twenty first century. The wind power cost and efficiency will soon be a chapter in the history the Windmills role in new green energy technology.
Some think the modern windmills used to generate renewable energy are unsightly and a major blot on the landscape. Others think that they adorn the landscape and portray an image of a clean and healthy planet. They're surely a more welcome sight than those huge power stations billowing out smoke and pollutants into the atmosphere, but there are still some think this is not the case. It will interesting to see what the windmill history will say about these in generations to come.
The world's tallest windmills can be found in western Netherlands. The Dutch people have always been innovative at making the most of what they have. First they make uninhabitable land that sat below sea level, habitable. Then they harnessed the wind to make energy for multiple purposes. They had windmills that operated upwind (blades facing the direction of the wind), others worked to run downwind (blades facing away from the wind), and each construction was build for a specific purpose, but all Dutch windmills were practical working machines. Modern times have seen their windmills for sale and converted into shops, homes, offices, and simply tourist attractions.
So, today's cohorts of eco-friendly windmills are to serve a different purpose to those of a bygone age, but their purpose is still to work for mankind. It's highly unlikely that modern day windmills will be cherished or stared at in awe in generations to come. But even so they will become a part of the overall windmill history and add a fascinating contribution to the continuing story of one of man's best ever constructions.
Below: Windmill Farms. Like them or not, windmill electricity is here to stay!
The above image of Windpower working for mankind is are how the windmill farms of today look. Some say a blot on the landscape, whereas others think they represent a clean and beautiful vision for the future. Wind Generators Vs the Power Stations? You decide. And how would you feel if the neighbours installed a domestic wind turbine on their property?
For the eco friendly individual, the modern day power generating windmills do not spoil the landscape but make it look more serene, clean, and green. Others however, see them as noisy, unsightly, and a menace. Compared to what? Say others! Power stations spewing out toxic spoke and waste products into the atmosphere? But the argument goes something along the lines of how it takes an awful lot of windmills over a huge area, to produce the energy of a single solitary PowerStation.
Sometimes change is for the better, and other times it's perhaps not! The pace of life is so fast today and the old windmills of Holland that used to harness the wind in order to create local energy, pump water, and grind grain etc, will always be a part of the windmill history and never again be seen functioning such tasks. With a history stemming back some 2,500 years that we know of, and some fine old, but not that old, examples still seen today as Windmills for sale, it's little wonder that this prime real estate is often protected as listed buildings, meaning their preservation is guaranteed for the foreseeable future. Thank god for that!
How Many Windmills still in Holland?
Recent estimates say the Netherlands has about 1,000 old windmills still standing as of 2011. A few are still used to pump water out of the Dutch soil, but most of these find buildings nowadays are protected monuments.
Dutch Restuarants
If ever you get to Holland you will find many restaurants either in converted windmills, or nestled next to or between windmills and lakes. This idyllic setting really brings beauty and ambience of fine dining in the Netherlands.
About Dutch Windmill Construction
Did you know that the typical Dutch windmill construction is made from of stone, brick, or wood. These windmills are also referred to as the 'tower types' for reasons of the entire building revolving on a central post surrounded by its tower.
The Oldest Windmill in Holland is...
The oldest windmill in the Netherlands can be found in a place called Leiden (South Holland). This most famous Windmill is called De Valk which is just a short distance south east of the central train station
The Largest Windmills are?
The largest of the modern type wind turbines have huge rotors (blades) than can span for more than 200 ft, or 60 meters if you prefer. They can be seen grouped together in wind farms both on and offshore, and some produce as much as 1.5 MW of electricity.
When were the first Energy Wind turbines Introduced?
Modern windmills were first introduced as energy producing tools back in 1973. We're now in 2011 and are only at long last beginning to see real the importance of alternative energy sources, albeit somewhat controversial with modern wind farms.
Wind Farms? Good idea, but Not in my Back Yard thank you very much!
It seems that the world and his dog are all for greener energy technologies being used as we strive to break away from our dependency on fossil fuels, yet at the same time there are protests every times a proposal is put forward to set up windmill farms close to residential areas. It's a bit like the saying we're all in this together as long as it’s not in MY back yard. This tells us that most of us are happy to talk the talk, but when it comes to walking the walk, well, you've just read why not!
Photogenic Windmills: There's no question of doubt that old windmills are very photogenic in all season. Not only can they make a nice collection of photographs for the walls at home, they can also make for some very nice personal Christmas cards, especially when you are in the shot. |
