Watermills
Watermills by Martin Watts, published by Bloomsbury USA on March 4, 2008, is a detailed exploration of the historical significance and architectural features of watermills in Britain. This 64-page book examines how these structures, once integral to local economies and landscapes, have often been repurposed over time, losing their original machinery and waterwheels. Watts delves into the role of watermills in utilizing natural power sources for various industries, including grain grinding and textile processing, highlighting their impact on both townscapes and rural environments.
Readers will find a comprehensive overview of the evolution of watermills, emphasizing their importance in the built environment and the relationship between these structures and their natural surroundings. The book presents insights into the history and development of watermills, making it relevant for those interested in architecture and history. Through this examination, Watts contributes to a broader understanding of how watermills have shaped the landscape and industry over the centuries.
Official synopsis Publisher
Watermills were once commonplace but, because of their domestic scale and their often picturesque, waterside locations, many have now lost their waterwheels and machinery and the buildings have been converted to other uses. Their place in the townscapes and countryside of Britain is a significant one, however, as each mill required its own water supply, which usually had a noticeable effect on its immediate surroundings. Water power has been in use for over two thousand years, initially for grinding grain and pumping water, and later for driving processing machinery for a wide variety of industries, such as ironworking and textiles. Understanding the history and development of watermills as working buildings thus forms an important aspect of a wider appreciation of the built environment and the use of natural sources of power.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Since 1988 Martin Watts has worked as a traditional millwright and consultant, his work covering many aspects of the repair, maintenance, conservation and interpretation of historic mills and their machinery. Other books for Shire by this author:
Water and Wind Power
Windmills
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