Andrew Meikle
Encyclopedia
Andrew Meikle was an early mechanical engineer credited with inventing the threshing machine
, a device used to remove the outer husks from grains of wheat. This was regarded as one of the key developments of the British Agricultural Revolution
in the late 18th century. The invention was made around 1786, although some say he only improved on an earlier design.
Earlier (c.1772), he also invented windmill
'Spring sails
', which replaced the simple canvas designs previously used with sails made from a series of shutters that could be operated by levers, allowing windmill sails to be quickly and safely controlled in the event of a storm.
Meikle worked as a millwright
at Houston Mill in East Linton
, East Lothian
, and inspired John Rennie to become a noted civil engineer
.
He died at Houston Mill and is buried in East Linton's Prestonkirk Parish Church
kirkyard, close to Rennie's father, George Rennie
, who farmed the nearby Phantassie
estate by the River Tyne
.
Threshing machine
The thrashing machine, or, in modern spelling, threshing machine , was a machine first invented by Scottish mechanical engineer Andrew Meikle for use in agriculture. It was invented for the separation of grain from stalks and husks. For thousands of years, grain was separated by hand with flails,...
, a device used to remove the outer husks from grains of wheat. This was regarded as one of the key developments of the British Agricultural Revolution
British Agricultural Revolution
British Agricultural Revolution describes a period of development in Britain between the 17th century and the end of the 19th century, which saw an epoch-making increase in agricultural productivity and net output. This in turn supported unprecedented population growth, freeing up a significant...
in the late 18th century. The invention was made around 1786, although some say he only improved on an earlier design.
Earlier (c.1772), he also invented windmill
Windmill
A windmill is a machine which converts the energy of wind into rotational energy by means of vanes called sails or blades. Originally windmills were developed for milling grain for food production. In the course of history the windmill was adapted to many other industrial uses. An important...
'Spring sails
Windmill sail
Windmills are powered by their sails. Sails are found in different designs, from primitive common sails to the advanced patent sails.-Jib sails:...
', which replaced the simple canvas designs previously used with sails made from a series of shutters that could be operated by levers, allowing windmill sails to be quickly and safely controlled in the event of a storm.
Meikle worked as a millwright
Millwright
A millwright is a craftsman or tradesman engaged with the construction and maintenance of machinery.Early millwrights were specialist carpenters who erected machines used in agriculture, food processing and processing lumber and paper...
at Houston Mill in East Linton
East Linton
East Linton is a town in East Lothian, Scotland, situated on the River Tyne and A199 road five miles east of Haddington, with a population of 1,774...
, East Lothian
East Lothian
East Lothian is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, and a lieutenancy Area. It borders the City of Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Midlothian. Its administrative centre is Haddington, although its largest town is Musselburgh....
, and inspired John Rennie to become a noted civil engineer
Civil engineer
A civil engineer is a person who practices civil engineering; the application of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, and operating infrastructures while protecting the public and environmental health, as well as improving existing infrastructures that have been neglected.Originally, a...
.
He died at Houston Mill and is buried in East Linton's Prestonkirk Parish Church
Prestonkirk Parish Church
Prestonkirk Parish Church is a Church of Scotland parish church at East Linton, in the parish of Traprain, East Lothian, Scotland, UK, close to Preston Mill, Smeaton, Phantassie, and the River Tyne.-Building:...
kirkyard, close to Rennie's father, George Rennie
George Rennie (agriculturalist)
George Rennie , agriculturist, son of James Rennie, farmer, of Phantassie, Haddingtonshire , and elder brother of John Rennie, the engineer, was born on his father's farm in 1749....
, who farmed the nearby Phantassie
Phantassie
Phantassie is an agricultural hamlet near East Linton, East Lothian, Scotland. It is close to the River Tyne, Preston Mill, and Prestonkirk Parish Church....
estate by the River Tyne
River Tyne, Scotland
The River Tyne is a river in Scotland, UK. It rises in the Moorfoot Hills in Midlothian near Tynehead to the south of Edinburgh, at the junction of the B6458 and the B6367. It continues for approx...
.
External links
See also
- List of places in East Lothian
- Phantassie Doocot