Fact Brainiac is a twice a week newsletter that delivers mind-bending facts from across the world directly to your inbox in an easily digestible format. We have over 7,000 subscribers and growing. My name is Billy, and I have an insatiable love for learning new things. I follow topics like history, science, technology, art, human psychology and business. It’s especially interesting to learn how and where these things converge. When I find something interesting, I dig a little deeper and share these stories and facts with my audience.
This 1,000 year old windmill still works
|
Happy Friday Folks! When we talk about clean energy and sustainable engineering, we often direct our gaze towards the latest technology. We think about sleek solar panels, modern wind farms, and futuristic electric vehicles. However, in today's newsletter, we'll take a step back and marvel at the roots of wind power. I'm taking you back a thousand years to the wind-battered lands of Persia... Billy @ Fact Brainiac Today's Sponsor
SMARTR DAILY THIS 1,000 YEAR OLD WINDMILL STILL WORKSNestled in the rugged desert landscape of Iran's Nehbandan region, there are these windmills that have been harnessing the power of the wind for an astonishing millennium. These intriguing structures, unlike the horizontal axis windmills found in Europe, feature vertical axes. This unique design results in an intricate fusion of architecture and mechanics, transforming the raw power of the wind into useful energy for grinding grains and pumping water. Here's a mental snapshot for you: imagine a sturdy, towering two-story structure with a robust cylindrical central axis known as a Tirpol. This axis is the backbone of the windmill, surrounded by rectangular blades, collectively known as the Charkhbad. As the wind picks up, it interacts with the Charkhbad, setting the Tirpol in motion. The real magic lies in how this kinetic energy of the wind gets converted into mechanical force, demonstrating remarkable efficiency and sustainability, even by today's standards. Constructed using locally-sourced materials such as adobe, wood, and stone, these windmills encapsulate a principle that we highly value in the 21st century – sustainability. Long before the term "green energy" was coined, Persian engineers had recognized the potential of the wind as an infinite, non-polluting energy source and used it to their advantage. Infact these windmills still work and could be used to grind grain into flour. Each windmill is divided into two sections: an upper level or Parkhaneh and a lower one called Askhaneh. In the Parkhaneh, the wind is funneled through a purposefully created opening in one of the surrounding walls, known as the Darvazeh. This directed wind drives the rotation of the Charkhbad. This rotation is ingeniously transferred to the Askhaneh below, where it sets a millstone in motion. As the millstone turns, it grinds grains into flour, relieving the locals from the tiring manual labor. These windmills are not just impressive for their functionality; they also showcase an intricate interplay between architectural design and mechanical components. The carefully constructed walls of the Parkhaneh channel and intensify the wind's kinetic energy, offering the necessary force to drive the mechanical components. The surrounding walls are designed in a stepped form to protect the mechanical components from erosion, highlighting the ancient Persians' attention to detail and their understanding of material science. Furthermore, the structure incorporates an opening in the roof of the Askhaneh, a feature that has more than just aesthetic appeal. This opening is specifically designed to allow the passage of the Tirpol, connecting the operational mechanisms of the two stories and facilitating the seamless transmission of energy. While most of these windmills are no longer in operation, one solitary windmill still stands in Nehbandan, a silent sentinel of an era gone by. It continues to bear witness to the phenomenal intelligence and remarkable environmental sensibility of ancient Persian engineers. Today, scientists and historians are taking a renewed interest in these ancient machines. By creating 3D models and leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as augmented reality and virtual reality, they are diving deeper into understanding the mechanics and architecture of these windmills. This exploration not only enhances our appreciation for the technical prowess of our ancestors, but it also offers valuable insights that could potentially improve modern windmill designs. To further highlight the importance of this historical marvel, let's discuss some key accessories that accompany the structure. Tools like the Doshakh, a pine wood-made, long-handled tool, play a critical role in the functioning of the windmill by stopping or starting the rotation of the Tirpol. Then there's the Navdani, a metal or wooden gutter, instrumental in transporting wheat from storage to the millstone for grinding. These tools, although simple, demonstrate the sophistication of this thousand-year-old technology. All these facets of the Persian windmills - from their innovative use of locally available materials to the intricate blending of architecture and mechanics - are clear examples of how advanced and sustainable technology can transcend time. It also shows that sustainability isn't a novel idea. Our ancestors, using what was available to them, created systems that were in harmony with nature and served their communities for centuries. In conclusion, these millenary Persian windmills exemplify the creative genius of humanity and our timeless quest for sustainability. They are silent teachers, reminding us that the past holds valuable lessons for our future. They are a testament to a thousand years of wind harnessed, grains ground, and water pumped. They are standing proof that with ingenuity, resourcefulness, and respect for nature, we can create sustainable solutions that stand the test of time. While we race towards a future powered by clean and renewable energy, it's worth taking a moment to look back and appreciate the centuries-old windmills of Persia. These giants of the past continue to whisper to us, carrying tales of ingenuity and reminding us that indeed, sustainability has deep roots in our history. ADDITIONAL FUN FACTS
PHOTO OF THE DAY
With your feedback, I can improve the newsletter. Click on a link to vote: |
You're receiving this email because you subscribed on FactBrainiac.com. |
Fact Brainiac
Fact Brainiac is a twice a week newsletter that delivers mind-bending facts from across the world directly to your inbox in an easily digestible format. We have over 7,000 subscribers and growing. My name is Billy, and I have an insatiable love for learning new things. I follow topics like history, science, technology, art, human psychology and business. It’s especially interesting to learn how and where these things converge. When I find something interesting, I dig a little deeper and share these stories and facts with my audience.
What's up folks! Hope the long weekend was a good one and you all got to spend some time with loved ones. Mine was filled with swimming pools, barbecue and sunshine... except Monday... we did get some rain on Memorial Day.... I guess that was appropriate. Well folks we're going to the glamorous 50s to the time when the Blonde Bombshell herself was causing controversy... Specifically with a Potato Sack... let's dive into this story... Billy @ Fact Brainiac Today's Sponsor That's right, I'm...
Another Friday! Woo Hoo! Many many years ago (over 15 years ago) I visited Tahiti. I stayed on the island of Mo'orea; a small island that you can drive all the way around in about 45 minutes or so. I know, because I rented a small buggy and did just that. Tahiti is one of the most beautiful places I've ever had the pleasure of visiting. One of my top traveling experiences of my life. If you ever get a chance to go, you should. The night sky over the Pacific with no light polution was ......
Hello there Readers! Hope your week started off on the right foot... it's hump day and we're only getting closer to the weekend! I recently read about how scientists found a 'metal ball' in the core of our Earth that would explain our magnetic field. This discovery adds another layer to the existing 4 layers of the Earth we knew about and will force rewriting of text books. This got me thinking about what's underneath our feet and about another interesting story about the deepest hole on...