A Concise History of the Early Public Water Features
A Concise History of the Early Public Water Features Villages and communities relied on practical water fountains to channel water for cooking, bathing, and cleaning up from nearby sources like ponds, streams, or creeks. In the years before electrical power, the spray of fountains was powered by gravity alone, commonly using an aqueduct or water supply located far away in the nearby hills. Fountains all through history have been created as monuments, impressing hometown citizens and travelers alike. When you see a fountain nowadays, that is not what the very first water fountains looked like. A stone basin, carved from rock, was the 1st fountain, used for holding water for drinking and spiritual functions. 2,000 BC is when the oldest identified stone fountain basins were actually used. The first civilizations that used fountains depended on gravity to push water through spigots. Situated near reservoirs or creeks, the practical public water fountains provided the local residents with fresh drinking water. The people of Rome began creating ornate fountains in 6 B.C., most of which were metallic or stone masks of wildlife and mythological heroes. A well-designed collection of reservoirs and aqueducts kept Rome's public fountains supplied with fresh water.The Origins Of Outdoor Fountains
The Origins Of Outdoor Fountains The incredible construction of a fountain allows it to provide clean water or shoot water high into air for dramatic effect and it can also serve as an excellent design feature to complement your home. The central purpose of a fountain was originally strictly practical. Water fountains were connected to a spring or aqueduct to provide drinkable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Used until the 19th 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 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 times utilized by Romans to decorate their fountains. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners included fountains to create mini depictions of the gardens of paradise. Fountains enjoyed 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 place of entry of Roman aqueducts.
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 decorative. Gravity was replaced by mechanical pumps in order to permit fountains to bring in clean water and allow for beautiful water displays.
Nowadays, fountains adorn public spaces and are used to honor individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.