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Bessler used the Leipzeg ell in his measurements 1 ell = 22.3 inches

... First wheel - Gera Diameter = 4.6 feet Thickness = about 4 inches Speed = over 50 RPM unloaded Rotation = uni-directional, required restraint when not in use Axle = ? Sound = scratching noises from within Power = ? * size in ell units: reported diameter = 2.5 ell = 4.6 feet; reported  thickness = 4 Leipzeg inches = 3.7 inches * ... Second wheel - Draschwitz Diameter = 9.3 feet Thickness = 6 inches Speed = over 50 RPM unloaded Rotation = uni-directional, required restraint when not in use Axle = 6 inches diameter (probable diameter = 1/4 ell = 5.6 inches) Sound = loud noise Power = ? * size in ell units: reported diameter = 5 ell = 9.3 feet; probable thickness = 1/4 ell = 5.6 inches * ... Third wheel - Merseburg Diameter = 12 feet Thickness = 11.15 inches Speed = 40 RPM or more Rotation = dual-directional, required gentle push start in either direction Axle = 6 inches diameter (probable diameter = 1/4 ell = 5.6 inches) Sound = banging noise at descending side of wheel Power = ? * size in ell units: reported diameter = 6 ells = 12 feet; reported thickness = 1/2 ell = 11.15 inches * ... Fourth wheel - Kassel (Weissenstein Castle) Diameter = 12 feet Thickness = 18 inches Speed = 26 RPM unloaded - 20 RPM under water screw load Rotation = dual-directional, required gentle push start in either direction Axle = 8 inches diameter (probable diameter = 1/3 ell = 7.4 inches) Sound = about 8 bangs per revolution at descending side of wheel Power = ? * size in ell units: reported diameter = 6 ells = 12 feet; probable thickness = 3/4 ell = 16.7 inches * ...

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evolution of Bessler's wheel - Gera to Kassel - click to enlarge - ... Bessler's apparent use of the Leipzig ell suggests he probably built his wheels to whole ell units and simple fractions thereof. The above diagram shows feet and inches derived from Leipzig ell conversions as listed in the data above. ...