從礱穀機具之復原展示談台灣碾米業的發展史

Research on Development of Rice-husking Machine in Taiwan from the Exhibition of Reconstructured Paddy Husker

科工館入藏一座老式碾米設備，從文物觀點來看，這套設備整座覆以杉木造型及平皮帶的傳動方式，肯定其特殊價值。為了長期保護，阻止木質惡化，我們找到國家級的老師傅進行整修工作，並移至展示大廳內，於最短時間內組立，進行無負載運轉的展示。藉由此次礱穀機及相關設施之復原展示過程，我們有機會了解這一段碾米的歷史，進而探討米種經濟背後的辛酸。首先將台灣的碾米業發展分四個階段來探討。從人力、畜力、水力到原動力，從杵臼、米磨、土礱到電動碾米機，尤其著重於礱穀機具改良的過程。由傳統碾米設施在機件構造上的特點探討當時農村經濟的特色，透過碾米廠在農村經濟扮演的角色，進一步再探稻米生產與台灣經濟的關係。

National Science & Technology Museum recently have collected a whole set of rice-processing equipment. From the cultural view, the fire wood shape and flat belts driving have been regarded as treasure. In order to conserve for longer time and prevent the decay of wood, we have invited a nationally well-known grade master to repair this machine and moved it to the exhibition hall. Our purpose was to install it in the shortest time to run a non-loaded driving exhibition. During the process of reconstructing and displaying the paddy husker and other relevant equipment, we had the opportunity to understand the history of rice hullers and were able to discuss the efforts of rice and grain economy. First of all, we divided the development of rice-husking history in Taiwan into four stages: from human labors, animal work, hydraulic power, to mechanical power and from mortar and pestle, rice grinder, TuLong, electric rice-husking machine, and we especially focus on the improvement of paddy huskers. From the peculiarity of the components and the structures of the traditional rice-husking equipment, we were able to discuss the characteristics of the economy of farm villages at that time. Then, based on the role that rice-husking mills played in farm villages, we were able to explore the relationship between rice production and Taiwan's economy.