During the Dutch Golden Century, the Netherlands became a major economic power in Europe, in part due to their innovative use of wind power to fuel their industries. Windmills played a key role in many industries, including agriculture, timber production, and shipbuilding, as well as in pumping water out of low-lying areas, creating new land for farming and settlement. The Dutch had a long tradition of engineering and innovation, allowing them to design more efficient windmills that could harness the power of the wind more effectively. This helped them become leaders in industries such as flour production, where they were able to produce large amounts of high-quality flour that they exported to other parts of Europe. Windmills allowed the Dutch to develop and refine their industries, giving them a competitive advantage and allowing them to become a major economic power in Europe.