Windmills are an undeniable symbol of historic ingenuity and industrious rural life, so any photo that features a proud and majestic windmill will almost always inspire us with images of villages and farms from days long past.
On the other hand, however, these windmill photos also speak of technological history coming full circle. Once, windmills, together with watermills, were the primary sources of renewable mechanical energy throughout Europe and in parts of the Middle East. They were used to grind grain and pump water. Now, the world seems poised to return to these roots as research and investment in wind and tidal turbines grows more and more prevalent.
If you have any beautiful photos of windmills that inspire you with images of the past or dreams of the future, we'd love to see them in this list! And don't forget to vote for your favorites as well.
