Grinding Grains

• Early windmills were used to grind grains for agricultural purposes. Automation of early agricultural practices was made possible by the use of windmill technology.
  
  

Pumping Water

• Another function of windmills is pumping water from wells and for irrigation. Water-pumping windmills allowed farming to spread over vast stretches of land.
  
  

Electrical Output

• Cleveland, Ohio was the first city in the United States to receive electricity generated from a windmill, and this event occurred in 1888. Since then windmill design (wind turbines) for generating electricity has been greatly influenced by airplane propellers and monoplane wings.
  
  

Pond Aeration

• Specialized windmills help to aerate ponds in order to control contaminants and algae. Instead of pumping water, the windmills pump air into the pond.
  
  

Garden Windmills

• Garden windmills are primarily designed for aesthetic purposes. They can be outfitted to become aerators for small ponds, but they're mainly used to add style to contemporary gardens.