Oil and pigment mill

In the days before the industrial revolution, it was mills and waterworks that powered the mechanical machines. The energy from wind and water was converted so that the energy could be used to drive shafts and gears. Holland is known for its many mills that process all kinds of raw materials. Some of these mills were used for the production of linseed oil and the processing of pigments for further processing, such as paint.

On a short trip to Amsterdam, I visit 2 of these remaining mills that are still fully functional to this day. It was fascinating to see the complicated construction hidden inside the mills, and all driven by 4 large wings.

If you are a little nerdy, I can definitely recommend a trip to

Zaanse Schans, Zaandam, Holland if one is in the area anyway.

It was interesting to see how the flax seeds were processed, to get hold of the demanded oil. First they were grounded with large millstones, subsequently heated, and then pressed in a wedge-shaped wooden press. The crude oil was then poured into a large oil well, where it could be stored before further processing, eg filtration, bleaching and further heating. Depending on what properties you were looking for in the oil.

After a visit to the oil mill, the trip went to the pigment mill, it had several different processing mill stones, so you could crush / process several different colors. The mill was crushing a white powder when I visited it (think it was chalk). The principle of crushing flaxseed and pigment seemed to be the same. 2 large mill wheels rotate in a circle and crushed the pigment with great force. After which it is swept off and is ready for further processing.

The oil and pigments from these mills were used, among other things, to produce oil paints that contemporary painters used diligently in their paintings, here among Vincent Van Gogh.

And here's a little heds up, if you are into art I can highly recommend Museet Stedelijk, a cool art museum located in Amsterdam.

That was all for now.

BB