Norse mill
Quick Summary
The Norse mill, also known as the Greek mill, was an early type of watermill that used a horizontally mounted waterwheel. This design directly drove a pair of grindstones without the need for complex gearing.12
Key Features:
- Horizontal Waterwheel: Unlike vertical waterwheels, the Norse mill's wheel spun on a horizontal axis.
- Direct Drive: The millstone was attached directly to the wheel's shaft, simplifying the mechanism.
- Simplicity: This design required less construction and engineering skill compared to geared mills.12
While simple, the Norse mill needed a strong water current to achieve adequate grinding speed without gears. It was particularly suited for grinding grain and was found in regions like Scandinavia and southern Europe.12
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waterwheel…(sometimes called a Norse or Greek mill) also required little auxiliary construction, but it was suited for grinding because the upper millstone was fixed upon the vertical shaft. The mill, however, could only be used where the current flow was suitable for grinding.
Read More…(sometimes called a Norse or Greek mill) also required little auxiliary construction, but it was suited for grinding because the upper millstone was fixed upon the vertical shaft. The mill, however, could only be used where the current flow was suitable for grinding.
Read More
history of technologyPower sources…appears to have been the Norse mill, using a horizontally mounted waterwheel driving a pair of grindstones directly, without the intervention of gearing. Examples of this simple type of mill survive in Scandinavia and in the Shetlands; it also occurred in southern Europe, where it was known as the Greek…
Read More…appears to have been the Norse mill, using a horizontally mounted waterwheel driving a pair of grindstones directly, without the intervention of gearing. Examples of this simple type of mill survive in Scandinavia and in the Shetlands; it also occurred in southern Europe, where it was known as the Greek…
Read More