Last month, I found out about the Falkirk Wheel in Scotland. It’s the world’s first and only rotating boat lift that connects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. The two canals had been disconnected since the 30s but after a plan to regenerate Scotland’s canals, they were reunited in 2002.
The Falkirk Wheel’s inspiration apparently came from a variety of places, including:
- A Celtic double-headed spear
- A ship propeller
- A whale’s ribcage
- A fish’s spine
Stream the video below to find out how it all works and read my article on the Veluwemeer Aqueduct and navigable aqueducts which also features Union Canal.
(via kottke.org)