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Overshot and undershot waterwheels, 19th century
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Overshot and undershot waterwheels, 19th century
Overshot and undershot waterwheels, 19th century.. Overshot and undershot waterwheels, 19th century, including examples designed by John Smeaton and Peter Nouaille. Copperplate engraving by W. Lowry after an Illustration by J. Farey from Abraham Rees Cyclopedia or Universal Dictionary, London, 1817
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Media ID 14207736
© Florilegius / Mary Evans
19thcentury Abrahamrees Cyclopedia Energy Johnsmeaton Power Sciencesandliterature Technology Universaldictionaryofarts Waterwheel Overshot Undershot
EDITORS COMMENTS
1. Title: Overshot and Undershot Waterwheels of the 19th Century: A Technological Marvel in Harnessing Water Power 2.. This 19th-century copperplate engraving, taken from Abraham Rees' Cyclopedia or Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Literature, offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of water power technology during the Industrial Revolution. The image showcases two essential types of waterwheels - Overshot and Undershot - that played a pivotal role in powering the factories and mills of the era. The Overshot waterwheel, depicted on the left, is characterized by its buckets arranged above the water level. When water strikes the buckets, it is forced to flow over the wheel's edge, creating a continuous flow of water that maintains a consistent speed throughout the entire rotation. This design proved particularly efficient for mills located near a consistent water source with sufficient head (height difference between the water level and the wheel). On the right, the Undershot waterwheel is illustrated. In this design, the water strikes the wheel's buckets below the level of the water source, causing the wheel to rotate by the impact of the water against the bottom of the buckets. This design is more suitable for mills with low water heads or inconsistent water supply. The waterwheels illustrated in this engraving were designed by two prominent engineers of the time: John Smeaton (1724-1792) and Peter Nouaille (1732-1801). Smeaton, an English civil engineer, is renowned for his contributions to the design of lighthouses and harbor works, while Nouaille, a French engineer, was a pioneer in the field of water power technology. This image serves as a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the 19th-century engineers and innovators who harnessed the power of water to fuel the Industrial Revolution.
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