The waterwheel was an ancient invention that used falling or flowing water to create power by moving paddles mounted around the wheel. The power is then transported to machinery via the shaft of the wheel.
The first mention of a waterwheel is thought to be in 4,000 B.C.E. Vitruvius, an inventor that died in 14 C.E., is credited with the invention of an early waterwheel. In later years, they would come to power all sorts of machinery to make a textile mill function.
The waterwheel is now obsolete, but you can find some instances in many decorative fashions. The waterwheel is one of the first examples of humans creating power in other means besides animals.
Fun Facts:
- The oldest surviving waterwheel is in The Beaconsfield Gold and Heritage Museum in Tasmania. The machine was built in 1862 and still works!
- Waterwheels were used for almost any manual labor that could be adapted for the waterwheel. They were used for crushing, pounding, squeezing and everything else!
- The most powerful waterwheel is located in the United Kingdom.
Hopewell Furnace's Waterwheel:
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