Historical

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Replacing the Rim of an Antique Great (Walking) Wheel

Bob Roemer 11/7/2025 Great or “walking” wheels are one of the earliest forms of spinning wheel, dating back to the 14 th Century in Britain and used extensively in the US during colonial times. They were generally augmented by the treadle wheel by the mid eighteenth century. Most great wheels today are antique unless built by commission. Consequently, it is important to preserve and restore them, particularly if they are to be used for spinning. The Challenge While settin

Technology

4 min read

Fitchburg Iron Furnace

Jerry Davis 10/30/2025 October 29, 2025 In the early and mid-1800s stone furnaces built for smelting iron dotted the Kentucky landscape. The plentiful timber for charcoal, limestone for flux and low-grade iron deposits enabled entrepreneurs to produce much needed iron for settlers. Later, an iron industry developed making Kentucky the third largest iron producer in the United States. The Fitchburg Iron Furnace, built in 1868, was the largest stone furnace built in Kentucky a

Technology

1 min read