Windmills and Wind Motors – How to Build and Run Them (1910)

windmills DIY

“I have endeavoured in the following pages not only to interest the practical amateur in a branch of mechanics unfortunately much neglected, but also to present a series of practical original designs that should prove useful to every reader from the youngest to the most advanced.”

Chapter 1 : windmill evolution
Chapter 2 : a small working model windmill
Chapter 3 : a small American type windmill
Chapter 4 : a small working windmill
Chapter 5 : a practical working windmill
Chapter 6 : production of electricity by wind power

Windmills and wind motors – how to build and run them (1910).

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December 15, 2009 by kris de decker Filed Under: DIY, Random, Wind Power, Wind turbines, Windmills

Online Multimedia Museum of Machine Motion

steam turbine

Reader Mathew Lippincott (check out his mutoscope) points us to Kinematic Models for design (KMODDL), an open access, multimedia resource for learning & teaching about kinematics and the history & theory of machines.

The core of this wonderful museum is the Reuleaux collection of mechanisms and machines, a set of 19th century models built to demonstrate the elements of machine motion (more collections here). Also of interest are the tutorials and this extensive list of online references.

KMODDL also has 3D-printable models (see the multimedia section) and some of these have stereolithography files. They can be viewed with Meshlab. Thank you, Mathew!

November 13, 2009 by kris de decker Filed Under: Books & Reference, Mechanics, Obsolete technology, Random

Floating Citadels, Powered by Wind and Water Mills

floating citadels

This engraving, published in 1798, shows the gigantic St. Malo raft, designed in 1791 during the French Revolution. The engraving informs us that this extraordinary structure was 600 feet long by 300 broad, mounts 500 pieces of cannon, 36 and 48-pounders, and is to convey 15,000 troops for the invasion of England. In the midst is a bomb-proof, metal-sheathed citadel.

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November 7, 2009 by kris de decker Filed Under: Balloons, Boats, Ferries, History, Inventions that never made it, Military technology, Random, Shipping, War technology, Warfare, Water wheels, Weapons, Wind Power, Windmills

507 Mechanical Movements (1908)

507 mechanical movements

“507 Mechanical Movements, embracing dynamics, hydraulics, hydrostatics, pneumatics, steam engines, mill and other gearing, presses, horology, and miscellaneous machinery, and including many movements never before published, and several which have only recently come into use“. Henry T. Brown, 1908. Via Doug Berch.

November 4, 2009 by kris de decker Filed Under: Books & Reference, Mechanics, Obsolete technology, Random

Plastics in the World of Tomorrow – Plastics in the World of Today

plasticsPlastics in the world of tomorrow (1944).
Plastics in the world of today (October 2009).

October 24, 2009 by kris de decker Filed Under: Random, Trash

Low-tech Indoor Truck

low-tech indoor truck

The Monark Transport kick-scooter is a fast and healthy way for staff to easily move supplies and tools around large indoor spaces. Its load capacity is 150 kg (330 lbs) and it can be equipped with a second platform level and a platform edge rim.

October 21, 2009 by kris de decker Filed Under: Cargo, Random, Travel