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windmills
Scientific Name: Allionia
Family: Nyctaginaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
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Windmills: An Overview
Windmills are structures that harness wind energy and convert it into rotational energy using vanes, sails, or blades. They have been utilized for centuries, historically for tasks like grinding grain and pumping water.
Historical Significance and Distribution
- Windmills were particularly important during periods of drought, when water mills were less efficient.
- They were once a common sight in England and London, representing powerful machines in the pre-industrial era.
- Windmills are a well-known symbol of Holland, where over a thousand still exist.
- Specific locations with notable windmills include:
- Clayton, West Sussex (Jill Windmill)
- Derby (Heage Windmill)
- Lincoln (Mill Road, historically)
- Norfolk (Bircham Windmill)
- Outwood (Outwood Mill, the oldest working post mill in Britain)
- Chelmsford, Essex
Modern Applications
- Today, windmills (often called wind turbines) are primarily used for electricity generation.
- Modern windmills typically have three blades, although variations with two or even one blade have been experimented with.
Quirky Facts
- Sibsey Windmill, built in 1877, was considered the "Rolls Royce" of windmills during its time.