Windmills in a storm accountSourced
Defoe reported windmills catching fire in fierce wind
A major storm struck England and nearby areas in 1703. Daniel Defoe published an account the following year. He reported that some windmills turned so fast that friction between their wooden brakes and wheels caused fires. This detail comes from his contemporary account.
Machines built to use wind could also be threatened by it.
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Great storm of 1703 · Wikimedia contributors
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Reviewed: 2026-10-10