Contemporary Garden Decoration: Fountains and their Beginnings
Contemporary Garden Decoration: Fountains and their Beginnings A water fountain is an architectural piece that pours water into a basin or jets it high into the air in order to provide drinking water, as well as for decorative purposes.Originally, fountains only served a functional purpose. Water fountains were connected to a spring or aqueduct to provide drinkable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Until the late 19th, century most water fountains operated using gravity to allow water to flow or jet into the air, therefore, they needed a source of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Fountains were not only utilized as a water source for drinking water, but also to adorn homes and celebrate the artist who created it. Animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks were often utilized by Romans to decorate their fountains. To illustrate the gardens of paradise, Muslim and Moorish garden planners of the Middle Ages added fountains to their designs. Fountains played a significant role in the Gardens of Versailles, all part of French King Louis XIV’s desire to exercise his power over nature. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were extolled with baroque style fountains made to mark the arrival points of Roman aqueducts.
Urban fountains made at the end of the 19th century functioned only as decorative and celebratory adornments since indoor plumbing provided the necessary drinking water. Gravity was substituted by mechanical pumps in order to enable fountains to bring in clean water and allow for amazing water displays.
Modern-day fountains serve mostly as decoration for open spaces, to honor individuals or events, and enhance entertainment and recreational gatherings.
Hydro-Statics & Water Fountains: An Overview
Hydro-Statics & Water Fountains: An Overview
From its housing vessel to other components it comes in contact with, liquid in equilibrium applies force on everything it meets. These fall into 2 groupings, hydrostatic load or outside force. The liquid applies the same amount of force to the assorted spots that it comes in contact with, provided that the surface is level. When an object is completely immersed in a liquid, vertical force is applied to the object at each point. This applied force is known as buoyancy, while the concept itself is known as Archimedes’ principle. When hydrostatic force is exerted on an area of liquid, this becomes hydrostatic pressure. A city’s water supply system, fountains, and artesian wells are all good examples of the application of these principles on containers.