Wind energy for human use

People have used wind energy for many centuries. In the 10th century windmills with wind-catching surfaces were used for grinding grain in the area now known as eastern Iran and Afghanistan. In the 12th century, the Dutch became known for using windmills for grinding grain and doing other things that needed power in their society. The image on the left shows a Dutch windmill and the image on the right shows a western windmill.

The American pioneers took advantage of steady winds on the Great Plains to drive water pumps that brought water up from deep wells underground to the surface. This water was used for people to drink, to irrigate their crops, and to raise their cattle.