Watermill

A watermill is a machine constructed by connecting a water wheel to a pair of millstones. Like windmills, watermills were a common system for milling flour until the arrival of steam and electrical power in the last two centuries.

Related Topics:
Water wheel - Millstone - Windmill - Flour - Steam

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Strictly speaking, a pair of millstones forms a mill, and it is possible to have more than one mill under the same roof, though the term watermill is commonly used to refer to the building housing the milling machinery, as well as the machinery and millstones inside.

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The technology behind the watermill is somewhat older than that of the windmill. Harnessing a flow of water to drive machinery is not new. The ancient Greeks used primitive water wheels, and the Romans are known to have improved the technology. They were responsible for the introduction of the watermill to many of the countries of the Roman Empire.

Related Topics:
Ancient Greeks - Romans - Roman Empire

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