Wind vanes, also known as weathervanes, have been used for centuries to indicate wind direction and originated from an Old English word. While they cannot predict weather, wind vanes show farmers and others which way the wind is blowing. To work accurately, wind vanes must be mounted high on poles or buildings to avoid interference from other objects.

1. Wind Vane By: Beverly Troxel

2. The history/ inventorWeathervanes, also known as wind vanes get their name from the old English Fane, which means flag or banner. And they are one of the oldest forms of weather prediction. Long before the invention of modern technology humans used these devices to make predictions about climate trends. There are many different names of people who could have possibly have been the inventor of the first wind vane but there are many different names mentioned.

3. What it is used for?Although, wind vanes cannot actually predict weather they do show which direction the wind is blowing. This information often helps people who need to know, such as farmers.

4. How it worksIn order for a wind vane to work and to work accurately it must be positioned high enough to avoid wind interference from other objects. That is why they are usually sitting on top of poles or towers mounted at the highest place on a building.

5. What it looks like

6. Websites used for informationhttp://www.weathervanesplus.com/history.htmlhttp://www.ehow.com/about_5329841_inventor-weather-vane.htmlhttp://www.ehow.com/about_5030961_weather-vane-used.htmlhttp://www.ehow.co.uk/how-does_4673877_wind-vane-work.html

7. Websites used for pictureshttp://www.ehow.co.uk/how-does_4673877_wind-vane-work.htmlhttp://daphne.palomar.edu/scrout/ams100/IVArt.htmhttp://www.denninger.com/whatis.htmhttp://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-wind.htmhttp://www.ehow.co.uk/how_6936525_make-simple-wind-vane-classroom.htmlhttp://www.edupic.net/weather_gr.htm