2004-10-30/2019-02-11 - From the OHS PC Database, derived from A Guide to North American Organbuilders by David H. Fox (Organ Historical Society, 1991) - Makers of water motors, 1880s. Sources: Stopt Diapason #43 (OHS Chicago Chapter Newsletter)
2016-03-20/2019-02-11 - From the OHS PC Database Builders Listing editor, Mar 20, 2016 - The water motor was a miniaturized, self-contained variation of the traditional mill. A pipe supplying water was attached on one side of a turbine case with an out flow pipe on the other. When the water supply was turned on, the turbine blades would spin, turning the central shaft which would turn a belt. Depending on the size of the motor, it could be used to power coffee grinders, drills, small lathes, or fans. The larger models were often used to power a blower for pipe organs before electricity became a reliable and easily available power source.
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