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, giving them a competitive advantage and allowing them to become a major economic power in Europe.