The term "Octagonal Windmill" refers to a type of windmill with a basic octagonal shape. This type of mill is a variant of the traditional windmill and was widely used in the Netherlands and other parts of Europe for various industrial applications, such as grinding grain, sawing wood, pumping water and more.
The octagonal mill is distinguished by its unique octagonal shape, which enables it to turn the blades towards the wind and thus make optimal use of the wind force. The mill cap, the top part of the mill where the blades are attached, can be turned to position the blades and keep the mill in the wind.
The octagonal windmill is an important part of Dutch culture and history. Many of these windmills can be found in Dutch landscapes and are often associated with the Dutch tradition of managing water levels, agriculture and other economic activities that rely on wind energy.
There are several variants of the octagonal mill, such as the ground sailer (the lower part of which is embedded in the ground), the seesaw mill (which stands on a post or seesaw) and the stilt mill (which stands on a raised platform). Each type of mill had its own specific features and benefits depending on the purpose for which they were used.
Today, many octagonal mills have been preserved as cultural heritage and vehicles. They provide a glimpse into the past and show how the technology of wind energy was used in earlier times to carry out various industrial activities.