News & Articles on History of Wind Power
This page was prompted by a technical question about early electricity-generating wind turbines in the United States. The question followed a similar question about “who was the first” to interconnect a wind turbine with an electricity network. There is a lot of confusion internationally about both subjects.
The history of wind energy is a broad subject and many have written about it. I’ve pulled together a list of sources, books, links, and museums that I know about. This list is far from comprehensive. If anyone wants to add to this list or edit this list, please do so.
A number of the entries below are reviews I’ve written of books that include the history of wind energy. The original book can usually be reached from the review. Other news items are relevant to the history of wind turbine development.
Catching the Wind of the World (the Aerodyn Story)—a Review
By
Paul Gipe
Den Wind der Welt einfangen is part of series of retrospectives being issued by pioneers in the field of wind energy as they near retirement. Written by freelance journalist Dierk Jensen, Catching the Wind of the World (the English title) traces the growth of a German company that designs wind turbines: Aerodyn.
Wind Power for the World: The Rise of Modern Wind Energy—a Review
By
Paul Gipe
Wind Power for the World tells an exciting tell of hope and promise—how a small band of activists, dreamers, and entrepreneurs built one of the world’s fastest growing and dynamic industries. It’s a must read for anyone who wants to understand how we got to where are today.
The Almost Forgotten Story Of The 1970s East Village Windmill
By
Shayla Love
I first heard of the East 11th Street windmill in hushed voices, over cafe con leches at a Cuban restaurant on Avenue C.
New Smith-Putnam Records Uncovered Include Log Books
By
Paul Gipe
Archivists at the York County Heritage Trust have uncovered a treasure trove of records from the 1.25 MW Smith-Putnam turbine …
Archive Photos of Kaiser-Wilhelm-Koog Posted
By
Paul Gipe
I’ve posted photos from the late 1980s of Germany’s first wind farm as well as its failed experiment with Growian.
Henning Holst’s Short History of the Danish Wind Industry
By
Paul Gipe
Henning Holst is one of Germany’s pioneering community wind developers. Located in the center of the wind energy universe in Husum (the gray city by the sea) in northwestern Germany, he was there at the creation. . .
