Four stages in the evolution of machines for
grinding grain. Clockwise from upper left:
The saddlestone and lever mill were limited by
their back-and-forth motion. The hourglass
mill, which could be turned continuously in
one direction by man or animal, was widely
used by Roman times. Flat millstones finally
made it possible to harness more elemental
forces, and were put to use in water and wind
mills. In the modern industrial world, most
grain is milled between grooved metal rollers,
but some is still stone-ground.
Early Modern Times
The late medieval period and Renaissance
brought notable progress in the art of enriched
breads; both puff pastry and choux pastry date