From wind power to steam power
Description
In the Zaanstreek, roughly the area of about 10 kilometres on either side of the Zaan, an early industrial area based on wind power emerged from the beginning of the 17th century. Some 1,200 windmills were built there since 1600. Oil was beaten from oilseeds, paper made from rags, grain milled, barley and rice hulled, hemp pounded for the sailcloth industry and dyes were milled. Almost a century after James Watt's inventions, steam power supplanted wind power in the Zaan region. This was preceded by a period of almost half a century of experimentation. Not only the power supply changed, transmission systems, tools and buildings also changed. Wooden comb wheel systems were replaced by gearboxes and wooden mill sheds were replaced by brick buildings with cast iron columns. Later, concrete started to play a role as a construction material. It is noteworthy that the traditional millwright played an important role in this transition process
10.30:00 Building open; reception with coffee
11:00 Lecture by Mr J. Kingma
11:45 Pause
12:15 Continuation of lecture with concluding discussion
12:45 Announcements Chairman and end of meeting
Speaker(s)
Jur Kingma (Wormer, 1945), retired general practitioner.
Hr Kingma previously worked as a tropical doctor in Tanzania. Besides working as a GP, he was administratively active in mental health and addiction care. In 1981, he co-founded the Association for the Preservation of Industrial and Technical Monuments in the Zaanstreek region. That association merged into the Zaans Erfgoed Association. Hr Kingma published in the field of Zaan industrial history and maritime history and is a member of The Newcomen Society (London)
Location
Science Centre, Mijnbouwstraat 120,
2628 RX Delft
Organiser
History of Technology
Histechnica
Name and contact details for information
Further information from L.A. Hissink at the e-mail address below.