Watermill

Caleb S.

This image depicts a vertical waterwheel, as used in the modern day.

How the Watermill Worked-

In the wake of the Bubonic Plague, labor shortages were left all across Europe; with nearly 30% of the population wiped out by the Death, manpower was in extreme demand, with little supply to meet the need (Middle Ages - Definition, Timeline & Facts). However, it was also during this time that the waterwheel was evolved to meet the situation at hand; and as a result, the first instance of inanimate power was born. The waterwheel functioned simply: when it was placed in moving water, a rushing stream would rotate a wheel, deriving mechanical energy from the natural flow of water. This mechanical energy was then transferred through a series of machinations, allowing for the function of complex machines capable of performing a range of tasks; most notably, the milling of grain (InDepthArticles.com).

Variations-

There were three primary variations of the waterwheel: the overshot, undershot, and breastshot. The first of these functioned with water flowing over top of the wheel; the second functioned with water running under the wheel; and the final functioned with water flowing into the wheel. The overshot was the most energy efficient, and therefore used the most. This is because the force of gravity was added most effectively to flowing water, aiding in the rotation of the wheel. The breast shot was similar, in that it also utilized gravity as water was 'sitting' on the wheel; though, a stream of water that lacked precision in this instance would result in the source flowing directly into the wheel, and an ensuing energy loss.

Influence of the Watermill-

Efforts were made as well to develop a horizontal waterwheel; it is important to distinguish it from its vertical counterpart. The vertical waterwheel was far more energy efficient than the horizontal wheel, as the directional flow of water also led to the cancelation of forces acting upon one body (Hansen, WaterHistory.org). As a result, milled grain could be far more easily produced and distributed, leading to a rise in that specific industry (Markets and Economic Growth: The Grain Market of Medieval England, Clark, Gregory). This trend of automatization would persist into the modern era, prevalent in an era of AI. Furthermore, the implementation of mechanical energy would be adopted and advanced by all major civilizations after the Europeans; evolved forms of the waterwheel are still used today in nuclear power plants to generate steam.

Though this wheel has been rendered stationary, it is an accurate representation of what wooden water-wheels would have looked like in Medieval Europe.

Watermill Image 4

This image shows how water might flow over a water-wheel.

Watermill Image 5

Additional Links-

Medieval Technology and American History - In-Depth Articles - Stronger than One Hundred Men: the Vertical Waterwheel This link is especially helpful for those wishing for a more in-depth analysis of the water-wheel's multiple variations
Pros and Cons of Hydroelectric Energy This link offers a little more overview of the positives and negative environmental effects of the waterwheel.
Dendroarchaeological evidence of early medieval water mill technology - ScienceDirect This link will yield a little more information on the comparison between work by-hand and via inanimate power.

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