Although the invention of the original cup anemometer was noted in history as being down to Leon Battista Alberti, there are many that will argue that the idea came many years before. Through archaeological studies it has been shown that in fact the original idea comes from way back when the Mayans lived on earth. Whoever developed the anemometer originally may remain a mystery forever; however its place in both history and the modern world has not wavered.
The original cup anemometer created by John Thomas Romney Robinson was made from a series of four cups made to catch wind as it blows and spin the device for measuring the speed of wind. Almost a century later in 1926 John Patterson improved on the device by using three cups instead of four. It was then adapted again less than a decade later and improved upon so that the winds direction could also be detected by Derek Wilson in 1991. The sonic anemometer then followed in 1994 using ultrasonic waves of sound to measure the velocity rather than cups. They were a breakthrough as they are able to take measurements even when there is only fine temporal resolution.
The original devices had a lot of moving parts making them prone to breaking over time, however the sonic version had very few so could be used for a longer period of time without needing to be replaced or repaired. The only problem with this device was that the results were not always accurate when rain was present as they could affect the sound waves.
The handheld anemometer is not only great for taking measurements but many of the modern types can also store information for comparison without the need to carry recording devices or write down the results in harsh weather. There are so many different kinds available that there is something out there for weather enthusiasts, those who like outdoor sports and even in the modern home to predict weather in real time before embarking on certain activities.
As the results are fast users are able to monitor both outdoor pressure and speed and even indoors where it can be used to check the effectiveness of air conditioners and similar. If you are planning to fly a kite, aircraft or even find out if it’s going to be a good day for the beach you can do so without access to the media or internet on a regular basis. The handheld versions are lightweight making them ideal for those who want to take up as little space and weight as possible such as hiking expeditions.
Data from the anemometers can often be transferred to a computer using ausb port or device, making it faster than ever to make comparisons and store information. This function has many applications such as use on a building site to check the structural safety of existing buildings or the safety of construction workers when on scaffolding. With so many applications the handheld anemometer is sure to be around for the foreseeable future.