The 1000-year-old vertical-axis windmills from ancient Persia are still in use today

The ancient Persian windmills with a vertical-axis, also known as “panemone windmills,” are a fascinating piece of ancient technology. These windmills were developed in Persia (modern-day Iran) over 1,000 years ago and were used to grind grain into flour.

Unlike modern windmills that use a horizontal-axis, the Persian windmills used a vertical-axis that allowed them to capture wind from any direction without the need for a tail vane. The vertical-axis design also made them more durable and less susceptible to damage from high winds.

The panemone windmills were typically made of clay, stone, or brick, and consisted of a central vertical shaft with several horizontal arms or blades radiating out from the top. The blades were shaped like sails and were positioned at an angle to catch the wind.

As the wind blew, the blades would rotate the central shaft, which in turn would rotate a large stone wheel that ground the grain into flour. The flour would then be collected in a container located beneath the mill.

The Persian windmills were an important innovation in ancient times, as they allowed for the production of large quantities of flour with relatively little human labor. They were also able to operate in areas with low water resources, where watermills were not an option.

Despite their historical importance, only a few of these ancient windmills remain today, with the majority having been destroyed by the elements or through modern development. However, the surviving windmills serve as a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of ancient Persian engineers, and are an important part of human technological history.