walkmühle

Walkmühle refers to a type of water-powered fulling mill used in textile production, primarily for wool. The term originates from the German words "walken" (to full) and "Mühle" (mill). The process of fulling involves agitating woolen cloth in water or a fuller's earth solution, often with the aid of heavy wooden hammers or mallets. This mechanical action causes the wool fibers to interlock and mat together, resulting in a denser, thicker, and more durable fabric. Walkmühlen were crucial for the production of many woolen goods, transforming raw woven wool into finished cloth suitable for clothing and other applications. Historically, these mills were powered by the kinetic energy of flowing water, typically a river or stream, which turned a water wheel. The rotation of the water wheel would then drive a cam mechanism that lifted and dropped the hammers repeatedly onto the fabric. The introduction of walkmühlen significantly increased the efficiency and scale of woolen cloth manufacturing, contributing to the growth of textile industries in various regions. While largely replaced by modern industrial machinery, the walkmühle represents an important technological innovation in the history of textiles.