The oldest mill in the Netherlands dates back to the eight century. In the Middle East, oldest examples of wind powered mills date back to the same period of time, although some signs point that Persians had them in 5th century AD. The earliest mills were not made only to process grain, but also to be used as automated stations that could route water from flooded areas or pump water from the depths to water agricultural areas. Dutch mills were famous for that use. The largest historic windmills in the world are located in the Netherlands, near the town of Schiedam.
Tilting at windmills is an English idiom which means "attacking imaginary enemies", originating from Miguel de Cervantes' early 17th century novel Don Quixote. Quixote had a paranoid personality disorder, evidenced by his eccentric, odd behavior. He exhibits all of the classical signs-from his suspicions of others to his inability to take the blame for his actions.