Windmills： Ancestors of the wind power generation  

作　　者：Cesare ROSSI Flavio RUSSO Sergio SAVINO 

机构地区：[1]Department of Industrial Engineering University of Naples "Federico Ⅱ" via Claudio, Naples 80125, Italy [2]Consultant of Ufficio Storico Stato Maggiore Esercito, Torre Del Greco 80059, Italy

出　　处：《Frontiers of Mechanical Engineering》2017年第3期389-396,共8页机械工程前沿（英文版）

摘　　要：A brief description of the windmills from the second millennium BC to the Renaissance is presented. This survey is a part of several studies conducted by the authors on technology in the ancient world. The windmills are the first motor, other than human muscles, and are the ancestors of the modem wind turbines. Some authors＇ virtual reconstructions of old windmills are also presented. The paper shows that the operating principle of many modem machines had already been conceived in the ancient times by using a technology that was more advanced than expected, but with two main differences, as follows： Similar tasks were accomplished by using much less energy; and the environmental impact was nil or very low. Modem designers should sometimes consider simplicity rather than the use of a large amount of energy.A brief description of the windmills from the second millennium BC to the Renaissance is presented. This survey is a part of several studies conducted by the authors on technology in the ancient world. The windmills are the first motor, other than human muscles, and are the ancestors of the modem wind turbines. Some authors＇ virtual reconstructions of old windmills are also presented. The paper shows that the operating principle of many modem machines had already been conceived in the ancient times by using a technology that was more advanced than expected, but with two main differences, as follows： Similar tasks were accomplished by using much less energy; and the environmental impact was nil or very low. Modem designers should sometimes consider simplicity rather than the use of a large amount of energy.

关 键 词：WINDMILLS ancient machines history of windmill 

分 类 号：TM614[电气工程—电力系统及自动化] Q959.838[生物学—动物学]