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This is basically how most indistrial setups was before engines and motors became a commodity. You had water wheels as your main power source, from which other

This is basically how most indistrial setups was before engines and motors became a commodity. You had water wheels as your main power source, from which other tools was driven via belts and gears. Later the waterwheel was replaced by an electric motor or a fuel powered engine - but still built around just one source of power, with elaborate setups to drive different tools. With the added benefits you could build factories and workshops outside main water sources.

MisterTea 5y ago
There is a wonderful museum in Windsor Vermont called American Precision Museum which still has the original overhead shaft and pulley system along with machinery. Went there in the early 90's as a kid and they did mention that it was converted to electric and the motors were still working supposedly. The Edison museum in Orange NJ also has such a preserved shop setup but electric driven by one or two big motors on an elevated platform.