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Hi, I am Sig (junge1),
I was born in Dominikus- Krankenhaus in Berlin-Hermsdorf, Bezirk Reinickendorf in December 1939. Bezirk Reinickendorf was one of 20 Bezirke that made up Gross-Berlin before World War II and one of 12 Bezirke that made up former West-Berlin, the other 8 Bezirke were Russian occupied and became East-Berlin after the war. Moved from Berlin to Neurohlau (Nova Role) Sudetenland (now Czech Republic), in August 1943 (our entire block of apartment buildings was bombed out in November 1943) and returned back to Berlin in November 1945. Saw my dad the first time in my life in August/September 1946 after he returned from POW camp. Attended elementary school in Berlin-Waidmannslust, high school in Berlin-Hermsdorf, and trade school in Berlin-Kreuzberg. Was an apprentice for the trade of Klischeeaetzer (photo engraver) at Burrath & Schmidt on Friedrichstrasse between U-Bahnhof Kochstrasse (near to what later became Checkpoint Charlie) and Hallisches Tor.
While watching Allied planes supplying West-Berlin by air during the Berliner Luftbruecke in 1948-49 I developed my love for aircraft. I guess I could be considered a 'Berliner Grosschnauze", or at least I used to be.
'Wanderlust' led me to leave Berlin in summer 1960 to emigrate to Toronto, Canada and in February 1962 to move from Canada to New York City, NY, USA. In January 1963 I joined the United States Air Force, one step ahead of Uncle Sam drafting me. Became a United States citizen within 7 weeks after it became a security issue because of my military career. One day after I was sworn in as a citizen in Seattle, my entire unit left for Southeast Asia in June 1966. After nearly 5 years of active duty (extended 11 months to make it an 18 months overseas deployment) I got discharged and moved to New York City. In 1973 I moved to Phoenix, Arizona and two years later joined the Arizona Air National Guard.
Received my higher education at Arizona State University and the University of Georgia and worked for 22 years for the Arizona Department of Water Resources in various capacities. Upon military retirement in 1999 and State retirement in 2005 I looked at a number of things to keep me occupied. Traveling and joining 'renderosity' in September 2007 were a couple of them,
Sig..
Comments (20)
UVDan
Very interesting! How do bladeless windmills turn?
junge1
The material, much like sails, are furled around the individual arms, and when needed will be unfurled to catch the wind, similar to sailboats!
starship64
Beautiful shot!
whaleman
It would be quite interesting to see them in operation!
jayfar
A great shot Sig. I wonder if they could be used to produce electricity???
farmerC
Exellent shot.
drifterlee
Most beautiful shot!!!!!!
flavia49
marvellous shot
auntietk
Thank you for the info about the sails! I had the same question. It didn't seem like they would be very effective the way they are in the picture! LOL! Sails. Gosh ... what a simple concept, and so obvious for a nation with a seafaring tradition. hits hand on forehead Why didn't I figure that out myself??
Rob2753
They are quite a sight when they are operating and a little noisy too when the sails are flapping :) good shot Sig
Faemike55
with that long center post with the wires, it make me think of some "Ray" gun or antenna Great shot
X-PaX
Very nice capture. I agree to Faemike55.
photosynthesis
Fascinating structures...
bobrgallegos
An outstanding capture Sig!! I'm fascinated by windmills!!
emmecielle
Wonderful capture! :)
Cyve
Marvelous shot !!!
sandra46
MARVELOUS SHOT
sharky_
Kewl..... Aloha
tigertim
Very cool, and great to see they are still in use... !!
kgb224
Superb capture my friend. God bless.