Geschichte der Wasserkraftnutzung
Full details
| English title | History of the use of water power |
| Authors & editors | Eckholdt, Martin [Author] |
| Publisher | Landesmuseum Koblenz |
| Year of publication | 1985 |
| Languages | German (main text) |
| Medium | Book |
| Edition | 1 |
| Topics | |
| Tags | |
| Scope & content | Summary Translation A collection of 8 papers delivered at a conference on the history of water power held in Koblenz in 1982.The first paper, on water power in antiquity, covers the raising of water by muscle power, the use of hydraulic water-raising mechanisms, water-driven mills and the horizontal water wheel, with diagrams and photos of similar mechanisms still in use today.The second paper looks at different types of water power from the Middle Ages onwards: diversion canals, tidal and floating power generation, different hydraulic methods (water wheels and turbines), transmission equipment, and typical uses of water power. The paper is illustrated with detailed diagrams, drawings and photos.The third paper goes into greater detail about waterwheel-driven mills, with descriptions and diagrams, and performance tables. It ends with a case-study of the Waldkirch mill on the river Elz.The fourth paper deals with mills in cities. In the simplest cases, such as Koblenz, the water mill could be built using a tributary of the main river; where there was no tributary, ship mills could be used; in other towns the river was often divided into a mill channel and a navigable arm – the latter as narrow as possible to ensure as much water as possible went to the mill. Elsewhere the weir was built at an angle right across the river, or a mill dam was used. The paper is illustrated with diagrams and contemporary illustrations.The fifth paper looks at the use of water power in mines, which started in the early modern period. The most important use was for drainage of the shafts, but it was also used in the mining process itself and for pumping. It is illustrated with 16th century and modern diagrams, and photos.The sixth paper describes in detail, with drawings and tables, the building of a tilt hammer in the Hessenpark open air museum, in part using components already in the museum and based on existing hammer mills.The seventh paper considers some social and legal aspects of mills in the Odenwald area of southern Hesse, including ceremonies to establish the maximum height of the weir; the duty of clearing out streams to prevent flooding; legends and stories about mills; the reputation of millers and their wives; songs about mills and millers; millers’ living conditions; accidents; mill buildings. It includes a map of the area, diagrams of mills and photos of millers’ symbols.The final paper is an illustrated report on an excursion on the second day of the conference to visit water driven projects between the Mosel and Nahe rivers.Five chronological tables at the end of the book show the evolution of different aspects of the use of water to generate power. |
Copies held
Accession no. 229748
- Shelf location: F400
- Donor: Ken Major Collection
