Don't Panic: A Wizard's Guide to Westeros (HP × ASOIAF)

Don't Panic Ch12: Winterfell and the Chamber of Secrets

"Water wheels and windmills can provide mechanical power to perform tasks faster, and with greater output than existing manual methods. and some that are often beyond the capability of normal manpower." Harry now had Garrick's attention as he perused the diagrams.

"For example, a water wheel can be used to power a mill for grinding grain, which would save an inordinate amount of effort in having individuals manually grinding it by hand."

"Additionally, it could be used with a few clever additions to power an inhumanly large hammer for faster forging of steel or even pump the bellows for the blacksmith's forge."

Harry thought for a moment then hammered home the opportunity with one last suggestion, "it is also invaluable in speeding up the cutting of lumber. I'll have to draw up a saw mill for you, it will be game-changing in magnifying the supply of wood for your various needs,"

Going with the flow of thought, Harry added. "with more and cheaper lumber you might even consider river boat construction."

Maester Garrick's eyes widened with interest, "Intriguing, Intriguing" he paused to contemplate, and decided to explore one of the suggestions that confused him most. "How exactly does the wheel convert the flow of water into the movement of a forge hammer?"

Harry Harry hummed for a moment before flipping over one of the diagrams and starting to draw a simpler picture. "The water wheel is placed in a stream, where the flow of water causes it to rotate." He explained, demonstrating for Garrick as he spoke.  "This rotation is then transferred to an axle like that on a cart, which can be connected to gears."

Harry of course realised he'd now have to make an attempt at explaining the concept of rudimentary gears, pulling some more parchment towards him he both realised he'd be doing a lot of rough diagrams this morning, and also that he should determine what they know of paper production.  Continuing to draw and expound on these concepts, Harry settled in for a long but hopefully satisfying lecture.

Maester Garrick nodded, clearly impressed after having his eyes opened to the various designs and purposes of even the most basic early gear systems. He shuffled through various parchments Harry had scribbled on, trying to absorb the new concepts. Also noting he'd need to order more parchment at this rate.

"And what about these windmills you mentioned? How do they work?"

Harry acknowledged the question and continued his lecture. "They operate on a similar principle to water wheels, but instead of water, they harness the power of the wind. The wind turns large sails or blades in a circular motion, creating the necessary rotation for an axel and gear system, just like the water wheel"

The Maester's curiosity was piqued, "These windmills might be even more interesting to us here in the North. With the rivers freezing over in winter, I could see the water wheels being limited to summer activity, useful though they'd be. Harnessing the wind would allow function in far colder weather." Harry nodded along, thankful that the Maester was getting it.

As the morning melted into evening Harry and Maester Garrick delved deeper into the potential designs of water-wheels and windmills, discussing how these innovations could revolutionize agriculture, industry, and the daily lives of the smallfolk in Lord Stark's lands. They started to draw up some initial plans for test builds with great excitement.

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Over the next two days, Harry devoted much of his time to both reading through the Stark library and surreptitiously copying all the books, as well as working with Maester Garrick on detailed diagrams and plans for the construction of their first water-wheel and windmill. The pair Garrick was particularly helpful, once he got his head around the concepts. He was clearly born to be a Maester, and Harry was definitely impressed.