| Wind turbines are one of the most popular ways | | | | It was in 1888 that Americans were then able to |
| for alternative energy. As each year goes by | | | | successfully create a multi-blade wind turbine |
| they are continuing to grow within their popularity, | | | | design that was to produce electricity. |
| especially with the new green movement. | | | | From this point on the design was changed more |
| Windmills are unique in how they operate by | | | | and more to be efficient in producing the highest |
| gaining energy through a source that is never | | | | output of electricity. From the 1970s to 1990s |
| depleting. This is why they are becoming more | | | | countries started to create wind farms in a way |
| and more popular. But when were wind turbines | | | | for alternative energy over fossil fuel, more than |
| first introduced into the world? Are they are a | | | | ever during the Arab oil crisis in 1973. At that |
| new invention? | | | | point the United States government got involved |
| Actually windmills were first created between | | | | and started to fund some of the wind energy |
| 500-900 A.D. by the Persians and were used as a | | | | programs as an alternative energy source. From |
| water pumping system. The first design of the | | | | this point on the designs of wind turbines have |
| windmill was a vertical axis. This vertical axis was | | | | been perfected into producing the maximum |
| created with vertical sails made of reeds grouped | | | | kilowatts for the least amount of cost. The cost |
| together to the central vertical shaft by horizontal | | | | to build a wind turbine is now starting to be a |
| struts. The windmill concept then moved over to | | | | cheaper way for energy production. Windmills are |
| Western Europe in the appearance of a horizontal | | | | even said to be under pricing the capital costs of |
| axis in 1270 A.D. The design was changed | | | | close to every other power plant type out there! |
| because they found the structural efficiency of | | | | This is great news for home owners since they |
| drag-type for the horizontal axis wind turbines | | | | are able to now build their own home wind turbine. |
| was greater than that of the vertical axis. From | | | | This is going to allow people around the world to |
| here the windmill design was perfected and used | | | | reduce their electricity costs and stop depending |
| in different ways such as pumping water, | | | | on the electric company for all their power needs. |
| irrigation, grain grinding, and saw milling of timber. | | | | |