Tuulipyörä

Tuulipyörä is a Finnish term that translates to "wind wheel." It refers to a type of windmill, specifically a device that harnesses the kinetic energy of wind to perform mechanical work. Historically, tuulipyörä played a significant role in rural Finnish life, particularly before the widespread adoption of electricity.

These structures were often used for grinding grain into flour, a crucial process for food production. The rotational force generated by the wind turning the sails or blades would be transferred through a system of gears and shafts to operate a grinding stone or millstone. Beyond milling, some tuulipyörä were adapted for other purposes such as pumping water or sawing wood.

The design of tuulipyörä varied, but many featured large sails mounted on a horizontal axle. The entire structure, or at least the top part containing the sails and machinery, could often be rotated to face the wind. This ensured maximum efficiency regardless of wind direction. While largely supplanted by modern technology, remnants of tuulipyörä can still be found in some parts of Finland, serving as historical landmarks and reminders of a bygone era of renewable energy use. They represent an important part of Finland's agricultural and technological heritage.