What’s that cross-like attachment on top of so many cupolas? Quite possibly, it’s a weather vane. You’ve likely seen a wide variety of weather vanes atop a myriad of buildings such as barns, homes, church steeples, or other tall structures.
But what exactly is a weather vane good for, and why did they come about? Today, we want to dig into the history of the weather vane and even help you find one that accentuates the style of your own home!
Historical Origins of the Weather Vane
Around 48 B.C., Greek astronomer Andronicus created the first recorded weather vane. It sat atop the Tower of the Winds in Athens and was created as a tribute to Triton, the god of the sea.
Originally, weather vanes were designed as an integral part of shipping, travel, agriculture, and weather prediction. Before weather vanes, humanity had very few ways to accurately determine which way the wind was blowing, which caused problems in sailing and determining the course of a storm.
Weather vanes need to be placed atop the highest point of a structure, far away from any nearby structures that could potentially interfere with its accuracy. A weather vane is a simple construction, consisting of a rotating horizontal arrow mounted on a stationary vertical rod. As the wind blows, the arrow rotates and the arrowhead points to indicate the direction and speed of the wind.
Modern Weather Vanes
Of course, in today’s tech-savvy world weather vanes are no longer needed. Satellites, radar, and other high-tech weather monitoring equipment is more than capable of accurately measuring wind speeds and directions. A simple click on your iPhone can tell you more weather-related news than any weather vane could.
However, weather vanes are still seen often as decorative adornments on many tall structures. They remind us of the history and rudimentary technology upon which we’ve built the lives we know today.
At Cupolas Direct, we stock a huge variety of weather vanes to adorn your home, or even sit among the flowers in your garden. With full-size and garden-size options, you can choose any size or style to add a practical piece of history to your home. Choose a classic, full-size rooster weather vane or go bold with a garden-size motorcycle weather vane to add some edge to a classic design. You can even choose a seasonal design and enjoy the fall with our garden-size witch weather vane. The choices are endless!
All of our weather vanes are lightweight and durable, and will add a beautiful touch to any home or garden. All of our weather vanes ship within 3-5 days, with some shipping within 24 hours! Give us a call at 717-808-5711, or simply visit our web site to get started. We look forward to hearing from you!