GLOSSARY
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Alternator
A rotating electrical machine which generates alternating current
Apse
A vaulted recess, having a semicircular, polygonal or other shape which substitutes or interrupts the continuity of a flat wall, found at the end of the nave and sometimes the aisles, especially in Christian churches
Apsidal
Relating to an apse
Arched window
A window crowned with a low arch
Art nouveau
Architectonic and decorative style of the late 1800s - early 1900s, originated in England, having the characteristic ornamental motif of the sinuous line deriving from the stylisation of plants and flowers
Ashlar-work
Ashlar stone facing on the façades of mansions
Ashlar
A rectangular stone which is worked in various ways, protruding from the external wall of a building
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Baroque
Seventeenth-century artistic and literary taste and style having a tendency for bizarre, unusual and illusionistic scenographic effects
Basin
A receptacle containing boiling water used to facilitate unwinding silk thread from the cocoon
Beating
The process where the dried wool is beaten and cleaned by hand - using staves - or by means of hydraulic beaters
Box wheel
A water wheel having boxes around its edge, instead of paddles or cups
Brake wheel
A crushing machine
Breaker
An instrument used in the grinding process
Breaking
Crushing, cracking
Bridge crane
A horizontal elevated apparatus resting on a carriage running along tracks, which is used to transport material inside a factory
Brushing machine
A machine used to clean the surfaces of various materials by means of rotating brushes
Bucket belt
Part of an elevator, consisting of a conveyor belt with buckets used to transport material
Burring machine
A machine used for removing burrs - vegetable residue - and impurities left in the wool. At the end of the nineteenth century, burring was carried out using steam-heated chemicals
(see Cleaning and Beating)
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Canal
An artificial water channel obtained from a larger watercourse, which is used to irrigate cultivated fields or to supply factories using water power to move machinery, or hydroelectric power stations producing electricity
Carded fabric
Cloth which has been carded or teaselled
Carded spinning
Processing carded thread
Carding
The process by which wool fabric is combed with cards to make it smoother and softer
(see Teaselling)
Carding machine
A machine for carding fabric
Carding machine
A machine used to card fabric
Carriage and saw blade frame
Two fundamental components of the Venetian sawmill: the tree trunk to be cut is fixed to the carriage with wedges, this runs along a track and pushes the piece of wood against the toothed saw blade which is fixed to the frame
Cashmere
A type of long-haired wool obtained from a breed of goats from the Asian region of Kashmir
Cement factory
A factory where cement is produced by grinding and baking various minerals
Charging basin
A large tank into which the water from an artificial canal flows and collects, before it passes through a penstock to fall onto a turbine or water wheel
Chile mill
Grinding apparatus
Cleaning utensil
An instrument used for cleaning
Cleaning
The operation by means of which straw or other impurities left in the wool after beating are removed by hand or combing cards
Clinker
A cement granular compound consisting of powered clay, limestone and silica mixed with water
Cloth fuller
(see Fuller)
Collecting basin
(see Charging basin)
Comb
To comb the cloth with cards in order to lift the pile and make it softer
(see Combing card)
Combed spinning
Processing the thread which has been smoothed by means of a comb
Combing card
Vegetable or metal card used for cleaning and combing wool
(see Carding)
Control room
A place where the control panels are located to control the supply of electricity
Cornucopia
A symbolic element, taken from classical iconography, in the shape of a large cone full of fruit and flowers alluding to abundance, richness and prosperity
Cottonise
To carry out fabric cottonising
Cottonising machine
A machine used to cottonise fabric
Cottonising
The wool processing phase where the fabric is combed so as to raise the pile and make it smoother and softer
(see Teaselling)
Cup water wheel
"A water wheel having cups around its edge; the water fills the cups and in so doing provides the movement "
Cup
(see Cup water wheel)
Cutting machine
A machine used for trimming
Cutting
Fabric trimming operation by means of large shears (tondeuses) to obtain uniform pile thickness
Cylinder fuller
A fuller provided with cylinders through which the fabric passes to be pressed and felted
Cylinder rolling mill
A machine comprising two iron-cast cylinders through which the grain is passed to be ground
(see Rolling mill)
Cylinder
(see Cylinder fuller, Cylinder rolling mill)
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Dam
A stone or wooden barrier in a watercourse used to deviate part of the water into a canal
Degumming device
A machine for cleaning hide or textile fibres
Deslimer
A machine used for washing mud and clay off pieces of mineral
Discharge basin and channel
A tank on the side of a canal, into which the excess water not used as motive power by the water wheel flows. When the tank is full, the water overflows into the discharge channel below and then into the canal.
Distribution cabin
A room containing machinery for producing and distributing (mechanical, electric...) energy
Dressing machine
A machine used to glue, dry and wind the warp onto a drum, ready for the loom
Drier
A kind of kiln used to dry and dehydrate mineral, wood or other material containing residual humidity
Drying structure
A structure where cloth is spread out to dry
Duct
A channel or pipe in which water flows
Dyeing plant
A place (factory) where dyeing is carried out
Dyeing
The treatment phase where the cloth is immersed in a colour bath for at least 24 hours
Dynamic-cable turbine
A system for transmitting mechanical power from a turbine to a factory by means of a rope (cable) supported on pylons
(see Tele-dynamic cable)
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Eclectic
Relating to eclecticism
(see Eclecticism)
Eclecticism
Nineteenth-century artistic movement which brought together different aspects and elements from various cultures
Ecomusée
A museum comprising a particular area in which relevant historical-cultural objects are preserved and protected
(see Open-air museum)
Elevator
A structure used to transfer material from the ground to the upper floors by means of conveyor belts provided with buckets
(see Bucket belt)
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Filament attachment point
The part of the basin where the silk filaments are attached
Filter press
Machinery used to filter the kaolin and turn it into ingots
Finishing
Final fabric treatment consisting of sizing and lustring
Flooding basin
A large water reservoir feeding ducts and canals
Flywheel
A heavy rotating disc having remarkable inertial force
Forge
"The furnace where iron is worked and moulded; also the blacksmiths shop "
Foundry
A factory department where metals are cast
Francis turbine
A type of turbine having a vertical or horizontal axis, called after the name of its inventor. The rotor(wheel) comprises a series of paddles of various shapes depending on the value of the typical number of revolutions: slow (50/100 revolutions), normal (100/200 revolutions), fast (200/350 revolutions) and very fast( 350/400 revolutions).
This turbine is highly efficient and is currently used in the hydroelectric power stations where it is directly coupled to the generator. It exploits rather low falls having high flow rates.
Fuller
A fulling machine
Fulling
The wool processing operation where cloth is soaked in a chemical solution and pressed: this procedure is used to shrink and stiffen fabric
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Gable
The rectangular space between the cornice and the two slopes of the pediment of a building
Gear
A series of toothed wheels arranged in such a way as to fit into one another and transmit motion
Generator
A device for transforming mechanical energy into electricity
Grate
A wooden or metal grid situated at the mouth of the canal bringing water to a mill wheel. It is used to stop any deposits or waste carried by the current and to keep the water flowing to the wheel clean, so as to ensure correct operation
Grindstone
(see Millstone)
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Hammer mill
Synonym of mill
Header
"A system comprising various elements; generally a channel for collecting and conveying water from minor canals to the turbines"
Heated greenhouse
A greenhouse which is naturally heated
Heater
A machine used to raise the kiln temperature to bake materials
Heavy cloth
Carded wool fabric for overcoats and heavy clothes
Hopper
A kind of collecting container in the shape of an enormous funnel where the material to be ground is introduced
Hydraulic press
A hydraulic-powered machine for pressing cloth
Hydraulic turbine
A driving machine consisting of a rotating component (rotor) operated by a fluid. The rotor is made of a disc having protruding edges on which water (steam or gas) pressure is exercised. It transforms the kinetic energy of the water into mechanical or electric energy.
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Intercolumn
The empty space between two columns
Iron beam
An iron section beam used as a support
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Kaolin duct
A system of structures and channels for transporting kaolin water
Kaolin washing and pressing
The procedure by means of which kaolin is poured and then pressed into ingots
Kaolin
A mixture of clay largely consisting of kaolinite, used in ceramic, majolica and porcelain processing
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Lock
A barrier obtained by sluice-gates to hold back, slow down or let through the water in a canal or a river.
Loom
A machine used for weaving, where the weft and warp yarns are interlaced
Low arch
An arch made with bricks or stones which are arranged to form a shallow curve above doors or windows
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Marseillese sifter
A machine used to separate flour products
Merino
A breed of sheep originating from Spain, having curly horns and long thick fleece which produce high-quality wool
Mill
A construction used for milling or grinding various materials (cereals, clay, minerals...)
Milling
Grinding
Millstone
A round stone used to break, crush and pulverise various kinds of materials, such as cereals, olives, clays, minerals ....
Mixer
A machine used to amalgamate various substances
Model-making plant
A workshop for the construction of models of articles which are to be mass produced
Moulding
A shaped ornamental element, sometimes protruding from the façade of a building
Mule-jenny spinning machine
A big spinning machine having a large number of spindles
Mule-jenny
(see Mule-jenny spinning machine)
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Neo-Pompeianism
Nineteenth-century artistic movement which referred to cultural and iconographical Pompeian models
Neo-classicism
Late eighteenth-century artistic cultural movement which referred to models from the classical world
Nymphaeum
A small temple or grotto, consecrated to the worship of the Nymphs, which was typical of ancient Roman architecture and in later epochs became widespread in parks and gardens
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Open-air museum
A museum in the open, meaning the land or geographical area where objects of historical-cultural heritage are preserved and protected as monuments
Over-shot
(see Over-shot wheel)
Over-shot wheel
A water wheel where the water falls on the paddles from a duct placed at the side or raised above it
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Paddle wheel
"A wheel having (straight or curved) paddles around its outer edge; the jet of water hits these and generates the movement "
Pediment
The topmost section of a building, having decorative elements
Pelton turbine
"A type of hydraulic turbine called after the name of its inventor; it is very similar to a wheel (rotor) provided with paddles in the shape of large scoops having cutting edges in the middle. The jet of water hits the central edge, then runs into the two side bowls. "
The Pelton turbine has a low number of revolutions and exploits very high falls having low and medium flow rates. It is used in mountain power stations, directly coupled to the generator.
Penstock
A system of pipes where water from a charging basin is conveyed to the turbine of a hydroelectric power station
Peristyle
A columned portico
Pilaster strip
A decorative pilaster slightly protruding from the wall
Pile-raising device
A hand or water-operated single or twin-drum device having cards which pull out and raise fabric pile
Pinning
Fixing cloth to the spreading structures by means of nails
Plansifter
A kind of sifter used to separate flour according to the size of the grains by means of a combined rocking and rotating motion
Poncelet wheel
A kind of a large (18-feet diameter) water wheel called after the name of its inventor
Presbytery
The part of a church surrounding the main altar, raised on steps and enclosed by a balustrade, reserved for the officiating clergy
Press
A hand or water-operated machine comprising two parallel plates which, when held against each other, exercise pressure on the material in between
Pressing machine
A machine used to press fabric. Initially (1846) this operation was carried out by means of a hand press, later it was replaced by a calender consisting of a cylinder and a basin between which the cloth was passed
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Re-grinding
Second grinding carried out to obtain a refined product
Reel
A device for winding yarn into a skein
Riddle
To pass material through a riddle or a sifter in order to separate it into various thicknesses
Riddling
(see Riddle)
Rolling machine
A machine used to reduce dough or other substance to thin layers
Rolling mill
A machine having rotating cylinders to crush various materials
Romanticism
Cultural movement established in Europe in the 19th century, which proposed a new vision of the world and a kind of sensitivity based on reverence for history, and on individualism inspired by imagination and feelings
Rotary filter
A device which filters by means of its rotary motion
Rotary kiln
A kiln with an internal system powered by a rotary motion
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Sandstone
A type of sedimentary rock formed by sandy deposits cemented together with clay
Sawmill
"A place where tree trunks are cut into planks; at one time this operation was done with water-powered saws, called Venetian-style saws, today it is carried out with circular electric saws "
Sawtooth-roof covering
A type of covering used in the construction of industrial buildings, consisting of a series of pitched roofs on various levels, in order to maximise the use of natural light for the area
Self-acting spinning machine
An automatic spinning machine provided with 400 or more spindles
Separator
Apparatus used to separate the components of a mix or mixture in order to remove impurities
Sericin
A gum-like substance coating silk thread
Shuttle
An elongated wooden component of a loom, which holds the spool for the weaving yarn. It slides from one side of the loom to the other to interlace the weft with the warp.
Side-shot wheel
A water wheel which receives the jet of water from the side
Sifter
A flour sieve or riddle
A machine for sifting cereals or other ground products
Sifting
Flour sieving operation
Silk mill
A factory in which silk is reeled
Sluice-gate
A kind of a wooden or metal gate which slides vertically in slots to hold back or let through the water in a canal
(see Lock)
Small channel
A small water duct
Sphere mill
A mill constructed with enormous cylinders containing steel spheres of various sizes, which pulverise the material to be ground by means of its rotating movement
Spindle
"An ancient utensil for hand spinning; it is turned by hand to twist and wind the thread"
Spinning
The process where the flocks of wool or other fibres are transformed into thread
Spinning machine
A machine used to spin textile fibres
Sponging
Fabric humidification during the finishing phase
Spool
A small cardboard, wooden or plastic tube around which yarn is wound for weaving. It also refers to the internal part of the shuttle around which yarn is wound.
Spreading structure
A structure on which cloth was pinned with nails and hung to dry
Steam energy
The energy produced by means of a steam engine
Storage room
A sedimentation tank or storage area
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Tannery
A factory where hide is tanned
Teaselling machine
A machine used for teaselling fabric
Teaselling
"The process used to make wool, cotton and silk fabric soft and fluffy to obtain increased insulation and a better appearance; it can be wet or dry "
Tele-dynamic cable
A strong cable suspended between pylons, used to transmit energy over a distance
(see Dynamic-cable turbine)
Textile fibre
Resistant yarn made up of filaments obtained by processing vegetable or animal material
Tondage
(see Cutting)
Tondeuses
Large shears, originally operated by hand, later by ropes, used to trim the fabric pile
Transformer
A device used to alter the characteristics of an electric flux. It is used, for example, to transform continuous current into alternating current
Transmission shaft
A cylindrical shaft which transmits the rotary motion produced by a water wheel, turbine or other machine members
Triple opening
An opening formed by three holes in the façade of a building
Truss
A triangular structure made of wood, iron or reinforced concrete beams
used to support sloping roofs
Turbine room
A place where the turbines and machinery for producing electricity are located
Turbine
(see Hydraulic turbine)
Turntable drier
A machine which turns in a circle for drying various products or materials
Tuscan style
A classical architectonic style of Etruscan origins, having smooth columns crowned with Doric-like capitals.
Twister
A machine which transforms the sliver obtained from wool flock into a thread
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Under-shot wheel
A water wheel where the paddles are moved by water flowing under it
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Vat
A large container used for washing, fulling or dyeing cloth
Vertical wheel
A water wheel which is immersed in the water vertically and has a horizontal transmission shaft
Vertical-axis turbine
A horizontal turbine having an axis which is arranged orthogonally in relation to the rotor.
Vestibule
A hall used as an entrance to an edifice or a large room
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Wall bin
A bin built into the wall containing the products obtained from grinding
Warping machine
A machine used for the warping operation
Warping
The operation by means of which the threads are gathered together and wound on the reel
Washing machine
A machine used to wash fabric
Washing
The wool processing phase carried out by immersing cloth in a basin where it is beaten with hammers
Waste
Residue from textile fibre (wool, silk) processing
Water wheel
A wheel having paddles around its edge, which are hit by the water. It transforms the kinetic energy of the water into mechanical energy
Weaving
A wool processing phase where the warp yarn arranged horizontally on a loom is interlaced with the weft yarn by means of a shuttle and finally made compact by means of a comb
Wide cloth
130-160 centimetre wide cloth
Winged helmet
Mercurys symbolic winged helmet
(see Winged staff)
Winged staff
"The staff decorated with wings and two entwined serpents about to kiss, which Mercury used to settle disputes; it has become the symbol of peace and trade"
Wooden elevator
(see Elevator)
Wool mill
A factory where wool is processed to be transformed into fabric
Worsted weaving
Fabric obtained using combed wool yarns, having smooth pile
