A Concise History of the First Outdoor Public Fountains
A Concise History of the First Outdoor Public Fountains As initially conceived, fountains were crafted to be practical, directing water from creeks or reservoirs to the citizens of cities and settlements, where the water could be utilized for cooking food, cleaning, and drinking. A source of water higher in elevation than the fountain was needed to pressurize the flow and send water spraying from the fountain's nozzle, a technology without equal until the later half of the 19th century. Inspirational and spectacular, large water fountains have been designed as monuments in many civilizations. The contemporary fountains of today bear little similarity to the first water fountains. Basic stone basins created from local material were the very first fountains, used for religious functions and drinking water.
Stone basins are believed to have been 1st utilized around 2,000 BC. The jet of water appearing from small jets was forced by gravity, the lone power source creators had in those days. Situated near aqueducts or springs, the practical public water fountains provided the local populace with fresh drinking water. Fountains with elaborate decoration started to show up in Rome in about 6 BC, commonly gods and creatures, made with stone or copper-base alloy. A well-designed collection of reservoirs and aqueducts kept Rome's public water fountains supplied with fresh water.
Where did Large Outdoor Fountains Originate from?
Where did Large Outdoor Fountains Originate from? A fountain, an incredible piece of engineering, not only supplies drinking water as it pours into a basin, it can also propel water high into the air for an extraordinary effect.The primary purpose of a fountain was originally strictly functional. Residents of cities, townships and small towns utilized them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash up, which meant that fountains needed to be connected to nearby aqueduct or spring. Used until the nineteenth century, in order for fountains to flow or shoot up into the air, their source of water such as reservoirs or aqueducts, had to be higher than the water fountain in order to benefit from the power of gravity. Fountains were an excellent source of water, and also served to adorn living areas and celebrate the designer. The main materials used by the Romans to create their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly depicting animals or heroes. To illustrate the gardens of paradise, Muslim and Moorish garden planners of the Middle Ages introduced fountains to their designs. Fountains played a considerable role in the Gardens of Versailles, all part of French King Louis XIV’s desire to exercise his power over nature. To mark the entrance of the restored Roman aqueducts, the Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries commissioned the construction of baroque style fountains in the spot where the aqueducts entered the city of Rome
Since indoor plumbing became the norm of the day for clean, drinking water, by the end of the 19th century urban fountains were no longer needed for this purpose and they became purely ornamental. The introduction of special water effects and the recycling of water were two things made possible by swapping gravity with mechanical pumps.
Embellishing city parks, honoring people or events and entertaining, are some of the uses of modern-day fountains.