Weather vane
A weather vane is a device with a freely rotating pointer used to indicate the direction of the wind.[1] Weather vanes served as simple devices for showing the direction of the wind and its speed for centuries.[2] They were a critical tool for agriculture, travel and shipping. They serve a largely decorative function today.[2] They have been replaced by specialized weather instruments.
To work correctly a weather vane should be at the highest point of a building.[2] It needs to be as far away as possible from other things that might interrupt the wind.[2] The simplest form is a horizontal arrow or other form freely rotating on a vertical rod. When the wind blows, the arrow shows the direction and speed.[2] The earliest known weather was made by the astronomer Andronicus in 48 BC.[3] It sat on top of the Tower of the Winds in Athens.[3] It was between 4 feet (1.2 m) and 8 feet (2.4 m) long and was the shape of a head and torso of a man with the tail of a fish.[3]
The word 'vane' comes from the Old English fana banner. This is related to the Old High German fano (cloth); from the Latin pannus (cloth or rag).[4]
Weather Vane Media
A cockerel is a traditional figure used as a vane placed on top of the cardinal directions.
Wind vanes feature on small horizontal-axis wind turbines
Oast houses have vanes to ensure a controlled draught of air flows through the building.
Dragon weather vane from the Index to American Design, National Gallery of Art.
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Related pages
- Windsock
- Apparent wind indicator
- List of weather instruments
- Old Father Time, a famous weather vane at Lord's Cricket Ground, London
- Weather radar
- Weather station
- Weather balloon
Gallery
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References
- ↑ "weather vane". Dictionary.com, LLC. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Emily Beach. "The History of Wind Vanes". Synonym. Leaf Group Ltd. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Alfred H. and Beth R. Denninger. "A Brief History of Weather Vanes". Denninger Weather Vanes & Finials. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
- ↑ "vane". Merriam-Webster. Retrieved November 20, 2016.