Millstones are tools used to grind grains such as wheat and corn into flour or meal. They consist of two circular stones, typically made of granite or other hard rock, that are stacked on top of each other with a small gap between them. The bottom stone, called the bedstone, remains stationary while the top stone, called the runner stone, rotates. Grain is fed into the gap between the stones and is ground into flour as it is crushed by the turning runner stone. Millstones have been used for thousands of years, with evidence of their use dating back to ancient Egypt and Greece. They were an essential tool for early civilizations, allowing them to process grains into food that could be stored for long periods of time. Millstones were typically powered by water, wind, or animal labor, with the earliest examples being hand-powered. The design of millstones has evolved over time, with improvements made to increase efficiency and durability. In the 19th century, the use of steel rollers began to replace millstones in industrial milling operations, as they were faster and more efficient. However, millstones are still used today in smaller-scale operations and for specialty grains, as they are able to produce a higher quality flour with a finer texture.
Grains, Flour, Grinding, Ancient, Efficiency
We have 216.484 Topics and 472.443 Entries and Millstones has 1 entries on Design+Encyclopedia. Design+Encyclopedia is a free encyclopedia, written collaboratively by designers, creators, artists, innovators and architects. Become a contributor and expand our knowledge on Millstones today.