If you are like me you thought a whim was something you did unexpectedly. John however was launched into a lecture about this pile of sticks. Girls you can make a coffee!
It seems that a horse turning this contraption to both wind and unwind a cable was able to raise a full 60lt bucket of water from a well at the same time as it lowered an empty one. (Must have been a mare as it was multi skilled!) The full bucket hit a beam at the top and emptied into a corrugated iron chute that filled a tank. The lecture went on to pose the question - Did the horse get turned around or did they have a second horse ready facing the other way to take over. OMG! There is a prize for the student who can answer the question.
Enough with the lecture!