Photo collection by Th.Schiöler Spiral scoops, screws and the chain pump Tread-wheels

Tread-wheels

Tread-wheels experiment Man and beast have power in their legs. The tread-wheel is a device, which makes best use of manpower. Unfortunately, the great weight of a man makes the construction a bit clumsy. [155]		The Chinese tread-wheel or dragon's backbone wheel Among all kinds of man powered water-lifting devices, this is the best one. The three men’s tread are staggered at 120 degrees from each other, resulting in the shaft running at a constant speed. [156]		Ox Treadmill, Upper Italy, ca. 1600 Ox treadmills were used to drive corn mills. Two oxen can work on the slanting plate. The animals are roped and forced to walk up the plate all the time. In so doing the plate turns away beneath them. A wooden gear system transmits the rotary movement to the millstone inside the building. Until the beginning of the 19th century ox-driven treadmills were used particularly in the Po valley as the head of water did not suffice for water mills. Picture from a model with Deutsches Museum in Munich. Model after a copper engraving from Vittorio Zonca, Novo teatro di machine et edificii, Padua 1607. [170]