Historical development of the windmill
Throughout history, windmill technology represented the highest levels of development in those technical fields we now refer to as mechanical engineering, civil engineering, and aerodynamics. This report describes key stages in the technical development of windmills as prime movers -- from antiquity to construction of the well-known Smith-Putnam wind turbine generator of the 1940's, which laid the foundation for modern wind turbines. Subjects covered are windmills in ancient times; the vertical-axis Persian windmill; the horizontal-axis European windmill (including both post mills and tower mills); technology improvements in sails, controls, and analysis; the American farm windmill; the transition from windmills to wind turbines for generating electricity at the end of the 19th century; and wind turbine development in the first half of the 20th century. 43 refs.
- Research Organization:
- Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (USA). Dept. of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/CE; National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AI01-76ET20320
- OSTI ID:
- 6342767
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/NASA-5266-2; NASA-CR-4337; ON: DE91006447; CNN: NAS3-25266
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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