Fowler's Mill, Historical windmill in Wandsworth, England
Fowler's Mill was an unconventional horizontal windmill in Wandsworth featuring a cylindrical tower base. The structure used a vertical shaft system and was fitted with adjustable sails that controlled airflow to power millstones for grain processing.
Thomas Fowler built this mill in 1788 as an experimental design for grain processing. It later transitioned to processing malt for a local distillery.
The mill served as a gathering point for the local community, with farmers and merchants bringing grain for processing throughout its working years. It represented the industrial ambition of its time and drew curiosity from people interested in new technology.
Visitors should note that the mill featured a vertical rotation mechanism, which was unusual for this type of structure. The Wandsworth location is accessible by public transport and offers insights into the area's industrial heritage.
This mill was one of the few of its kind to use a horizontal design with vertical rotation shaft instead of the traditional vertical mill system. Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger personally visited and studied this innovative structure.
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