|
|
|
The first mills know as Hummers appeared on the market in the early 20th Century. Originally the name "Hummer" referred only to a steel wheel vaneless mill, while the identical mill with a wooden wheel was called the Elgin #2. The initial steel wheel Hummer introduced about 1900 was made in a ten foot diameter only. About 1915, both mills had come to be known as Hummers and a twelve foot steel wheel mill was added to the line. Between 1914 and 1920, a new Hummer known as the Hummer Model L, was introduced to take the place of the old vaneless mll. the new Hummer was completely redesigned and is the style most often seen today. It also was available with either steel or wooden wheel sections and was made in ten and twelve foot sizes. The wooden wheel variant had its sections painted white with red trim on the tips of the blades. The wheel structure of the new Hummer Model L, whether using wooden or steel sections, consist of angle steel and steel rods bolted to the cast iron hub, whereas the older mills used wooden arms. Regulation on the newer Hummer Model L similar to that on the older models, although the individual elements of the system are redesigned. Instead of employing suspended governor weight, the mill uses the more common weighted lever. The tendency of the weight lever is to hold the sections into the wind, while the pressure of the wind on the outer half of the wheel sections as well as the centrifugal force exerted by the spinning wheel tend to pivot the sections away from the wind. The constant equilibrium between these two elements in the governing system results in the proper regulation of the mill, its sensitivity being adjusted by changing the position of the weight on the lever. Today, the Hummer Model L is the most common of the vaneless windmills that were manufactured by the Elgin Wind Power & Pump Company. They remained available commercially at least into the 1930's with the steel wheel version marketed as recently as 1941 and perhaps even later. They are readily identified by their distinctive chicken shaped counterweights and by their striking iron work. Observers are most likely to find the Model L mills on the central and northern Great Plains, where the largest numbers seem to be found, while the original Hummer mills are comparatively rare. |