Fans are devices that create air by rotating blades or vanes. They are used for various purposes, such as cooling, ventilation, drying, winnowing, and providing drafts for a fire. Fans have a long and fascinating history that spans different cultures, civilizations, and eras. In this article, we will trace the evolution of the blades of fans, from ancient times to modern days, and see how they have changed in shape, size, number, and material.
The earliest fans were handheld devices people used to fan themselves or others. They were made of natural materials, such as leaves, feathers, bamboo strips, or plant fibers. The ancient Egyptians used large lotus leaves or palm fronds to fan themselves or their rulers. They also used fans to cool air across wet mats or water-filled vessels for evaporative cooling.
The ancient Greeks and Romans preferred peacock feathers or ostrich plumes for their fans. And used fans to blow air over snow or ice for refrigeration. The Roman emperors even had slaves who carried fans made of silver or gold.
The ancient Chinese invented folding fans in the 8th century CE, possibly inspired by bats folding their wings. They also made exquisitely painted fans that were symbols of status and art. The Portuguese traders brought Asian fans to Europe in the 15th century CE, where became popular among the nobility and royalty.
The ancient Chinese were also pioneers in mechanizing the fan. Around 180 CE, a famous inventor named Ting Huan created a rotary fan that had seven wheels, each 10 feet in diameter. A single man could operate the fan to cool an entire hall. Later rotary fans were used for various purposes, such as winnowing grain, ventilating mines, and smelting metals.
The invention of electricity in the 19th century led to the development of electric fans. The first electric fan was invented by Schuyler Skaats Wheeler in 1882. He applied the electricity developed by Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla to make a fan turn without humans or horsepower. The first electric fan consisted of two blades without a protective cage. It was marketed by the Crocker & Curtis Electric Motor Company.
The electric fan soon became popular and widespread in homes, offices, factories, and public places. It provided comfort, ventilation, and energy savings. It also enabled the invention of air conditioning, which used fans to circulate cooled air.
The electric fan also underwent many improvements and innovations over time. The number of blades increased from two to three or four increasing the airflow and reducing the noise. Now blades were also made of different materials, such as wood, metal, or plastic, which affected the weight, durability, and appearance of the fan.
The shape and size of the blades also changed according to aerodynamic principles and design preferences. Some blades were curved or twisted to increase efficiency and reduce drag. Other blades were flat or wide to create more volume and pressure.
The electric fan also adopted various features and functions to enhance its performance and convenience. Some fans had speed controls, oscillation mechanisms, timers, remote controls, and smart devices. Some fans had lights, heaters, humidifiers, or ionizers attached to them.
Today, fans are ubiquitous and diverse in their forms and functions. They are used for personal comfort, climate control, industrial processes, environmental protection, and entertainment.
One of the most common types of fans today is the ceiling fan, which is mounted on the ceiling and rotates horizontally. The ceiling fan has two main types of motors: AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current). AC motors are more common and affordable but consume more energy and produce more noise than DC motors. DC motors are more advanced and efficient but are more expensive and less compatible with some fans.
Another common type of fan today is the table fan or floor fan, which is placed on a table or floor and rotates vertically. The table fan or floor fan has various shapes and sizes, such as a box fan, tower fan, pedestal fan, or bladeless fan. The bladeless fan uses a hidden impeller to create airflow that is amplified by a ring-shaped nozzle.
Other types of fans today include wall-mounted fans, window fans, exhaust fans, misting fans, solar-powered fans, and battery-operated fans. Fans are also integrated into other devices or machines, such as computers, cars, airplanes, and wind turbines.
Fans have a long and fascinating history that spans different cultures, civilizations, and eras. They have evolved from simple handheld devices made of natural materials to complex electric devices made of synthetic materials that changed in shape, size, number, and material of their blades according to their purposes and preferences. They have also adopted various features and functions to enhance their performance and convenience.