Mabry Mill
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About this page
Back in 1998 we came across a picture of an old watermill in the USA. I decided to lake the picture and use an animated version of the picture along with the Dorian Gray II Java applet to show the wheel turning.
We thought the result was quite effective and put it on a website at Xoom (now long gone) stating that we didn't know where the picture came from. It didn't take long for someone to e-mail us with the necessary information.
This applet again was a challenge since the picture required had to be hand animated by drawing each frame's spokes. There are only four frames in the animation but I started out with a lot more before I got a realistic effect. It was one of the first animations I produced.
Having found out about Mabry Mill it then became one of a series of watermill applets. If you're visiting the area just stand there long enough and one day you'll meet us taking more pictures.
Waterwheels have been used for thousands of years and are probably one of the first examples of the use of technology by man. In our history they are probably responsible for the development of gears.
You are looking at an overshot water mill - a type which was found to be most efficient where there was a small stream with an available head of seven or more feet (2 metres). Water is taken by a channel and drops down onto the wheel. Its weight then provides the power.
The watermill you are looking at is situated on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. Although there are many sights to see in the park, Mabry Mill is the most sought out and photographed.
You are listening to "Arabesque" by Debussy.
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