Windmill
Needle Case
Design Representation
Design Details
Needle Case Type: |
Figural |
Patent/Registered to: |
Coggins & Baxter - Birmingham |
Patent/Design Representation #: |
Ornamental Class1: Metal: #277230 |
Patent/Design Registration Date: |
October 16, 1873 |
Location of Patent/Design Registration: |
The National Archives (TNA) - Kew, UK |
Reference #: |
TNA Representation - BT 43/35/277230
TNA Register - BT 44/3/277230 |
Dimensions: |
4 x 4.4 x 6.7 |
Material: |
Brass |
Name Variations: |
W. Avery & Son - Redditch |
Other Variations: |
None |
Additional Photographs
Front and side views
Back aand signature detail
Top closed and open
Bottom
Facts
Originally a windmill was a machine that used wind energy to turn blades or sails attached to a gear that ground grain or pumped water out of
the ground. Most modern windmills are wind turbines that use wind power to generate electricity. The Spocott windmill in Cambridge,
Maryland is pictured below.
History
Although humans have harnessed the power of the wind for transportation since ancient times, many believe the Persians developed the first
windmills between 500-900 AD. This technology was transported to Europe during the Crusades and European carftsmen, especially English
and Dutch, spent another 500 years perfecting the design. During the Industrial Revolution the importance of wind power declined and steam
became the primary industrial energy source. Dutch windmills are pictured below.
Miscellaneous
Traditional windmills continued to be built in large numbers until late in the nineteenth century. The windmill pictured below was
originally built in 1809 outside the town of Asterley in Shropshire, England. It consists of a stone tower with a wooden “cap” or roof,
which rotated so the sails could be better positioned to catch the wind. Although badly damaged and not used for over 75 years, it
was restored in the 1980’s by its current owner.
