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Ceiling Fans

Two wind turbines in a field when one asks the other “Do you like music?”  The other one replies “Yes, I’m a big heavy metal fan.”

For reasons that will become apparent in a couple days or two I’m going to embark on a ceiling fan discussion.  What does this have to do with Buzzy’s Country Store I hear you ask.  Well, to paraphrase what they say in the rooms, to find out, you will just have to keep coming back.

Today, a quick look at the history and origins of the ceiling fan.

In 1882 a gentleman by the name of Philip Diehl attached a blade to a sewing machine motor and mounted it on the ceiling.  Thus, the first electric/motorized ceiling fan came to be.  Prior to Diehl’s invention, some non-motorized ceiling fans were around (click here.)  However, shortly after Diehl’s motorized invention, several competitors began making and selling ceiling fans.  

One company Robbins-Myers was already in business making motors for agricultural  equipment and they began producing ceiling fans.  Another company, founded by two brothers, James and John Hunter had purchased a water meter company in 1886 and were manufacturing water powered ceiling fans.  The Hunters eventually teamed up with the Robbins-Myers folks to begin mass producing what we know today as a ceiling fan.  

I found this history of the ceiling fan from the Hunter website which explains why John Hunter is cited as the inventor of the ceiling fan and not Mr. Diehl.  Hunter having once been a division within Robbins-Myers is also not mentioned.
https://www.hunterfan.com/pages/about-us
Tomorrow I’ll explain why this Hunter-Robbins-Myers connection is part of my new-found interest in ceiling fans.  

And since I started off talking about heavy metal music, albeit in a lame kind of way, here is a dose of NIN.  Mind you, don’t focus too much on that “you’re going to get what you deserve” stuff; that sentiment should never be laid upon any of us should it?
 
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