![]() Millwrights executed every type of engineering operation in the construction of these mills. Water was directed over hand-constructed wooden mill wheels to turn big wooden gears and generate power. In the early days of North America millwrights designed and constructed the mills where flour and grist were ground by water power. He could build bridges, cut canals and perform a variety of work now done by civil engineers. ![]() He could calculate the velocities, strength and power of machines could draw in plans, construct buildings, conduits or watercources, in all the forms and under all the conditions required in his professional practice. In most instances, the millwright was a fair arithmetician, knew something of geometry, leveling and measurements, and often possessed a very competent knowledge of practical mathematics. He could set and cut in the furrows of a millstone with an accuracy equal to or superior to that of the miller himself. He could turn, bore or forge with the ease and ability of one brought up in those trades. He could handle the axe, the hammer and the plane with equal skill and precision. Thus, the millwright of the last several centuries was an itinerant engineer and mechanic of high reputation and recognized abilities. ![]() In other words, as the above definition would indicate, he was the area engineer, a kind of jack of all trades who was equally comfortable at the lathe, the anvil or the carpenter’s bench. He was the recognized representative of mechanical arts and was looked upon as the authority in all applications of winds and water, under whatever conditions they were to be used, as a motive power for the purpose of manufacture. For several centuries in England and Scotland the millwright was recognized as a man with a knowledge of carpentry, blacksmithing and lathe work in addition to the fitter and erector. The word “millwright” has long been used to describe the man who was marked by everything ingenious and skillful. “Millwright: Installation man, machine erector, a maintenance mechanic, plant changer, installs machinery and equipment according to layout plans, blueprints and other drawings in an industrial establishment, using hoists, lift trucks, hand tools and power tools reads blueprints and schematic drawings to determine work procedures dismantles machines, using hammer, wrenches, crowbars, and other hand tools moves machinery and equipment using hoists, rollers, and trucks assembles and installs equipment, such as shafting, conveyors, and tram rails, using hand tools and power tools constructs foundations for machines, using hand tools and building materials, such as wood, cement, and steel align machines and equipment, using hoists, jacks, hand tools, squares, rules, micrometers, and plumb bobs assemble machines and bolts, welds, rivets, or otherwise fastens them to foundation or other structures, using hand tools and power tools may repair and lubricate machines and equipment.” ![]() ![]() With that in mind, a definition taken from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles would seem to be an appropriate introduction to a discussion of the craft: Although “millwright ” is a common word, most people (including many in the Carpenter Brotherhood) are hard pressed, if asked, to define the term and its many uses. ![]()
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