This article first appeared on our blog in August 2018.The sketch below was drawn by the eccentric and enigmatic Karl Wood, only two years before he was sent to prison: South Havra tower mill, 6 July 1949, Karl Wood (Mills Archive Collection, WOOD-M1307). This sketch is from the Karl Wood Collection: it forms part of a project…
‘His motives were purely those of revenge, but now being about to die, he desired to make what reparation lay in his power.’ This Gem, an article from the 11th January 1899 edition of the Northwestern Miller, describes a hermit miller. ‘Although far advanced in years, Mrs. Bailey is an active woman, and attends to the duties…
With the summer heatwave already fading into a distant memory I have come to the end of my internship. The last three months have flown by, but fifty-one gems later I can safely say I have learnt a huge amount about archives, mills and milling. With a greater appreciation for the incredible stories that lie…
Hello, it’s me again. With just one week of my internship left to go, I thought this would be the right time to look into the future of wind power. Traditional windmills are few and far between, and traditional mills that still operate commercially are rarer still. However, when we think of wind-powered production, wind…
This Apprenticeship Indenture marks the birth of a millwright. This Gem is an indenture between the millwright and engineer Thomas Pilbeam, and his new apprentice, Charles William Dew. Dated to the 14th October 1865, it agrees that Charles Dew will work for five years, and promises his good and lawful behaviour. In return he will be…
‘Everything changes, everything progresses…’ This Gem is a trade card, a business card for companies which would have been distributed to clients and potential customers to advertise their products, services and contact details. This card was produced for the French wine company, Byrrh, probably during the 1930s. It was part of a series of trade…
This week I have been looking at Gems with a Bang! Don’t worry, the Mills Archive is still standing… One of the items (which I hope Mildred is keeping in a safe place) is a gunpowder horn, dating from around the 1850s. Amazingly, it still holds a small amount of black powder within – which…
‘It consists of a windmill, but one totally different in appearance and principle from all windmills known hitherto.’ This is a Ventimotor, designed by an Artillery Officer. It is a very early version of an electricity-producing wind turbine. Designed by Major Kurt Bilau, it makes use of principles from aeroplane design to produce greater centrifugal…
Feeding an army in the depths of a Russian winter requires some handy ideas. Handmills like this one were carried by thousands of Swedish soldiers during the Great Northern Wars of the 18th Century. They were used by the Caroleans, the highly professional soldiers of the Swedish Empire. Grain both lasts longer than flour, and…
This week Mildred brought in a number of objects for me to look at, which are interesting examples of the huge variety of different types of mill in existence. One of my personal favourites was a collection of marbles made only with the power of water, which come from a watermill in Germany. Mildred explained…
