The Eclipse windmill was invented by Rev. Leonard Wheeler in 1866 with the help of his son William, and they began manufacturing it that year in Beloit, Wisconsin. In 1890 they sold the company to Fairbanks, Morse and Co. of Chicago. The mill was unique for having two vanes made of cypress wood, and the Eclipse became one of the most popular wooden mills in the late 1800's and early 1900's.