Add the Perfect Element to Your Garden with a Water Fountain

Water fountains have been a part of human civilization for thousands of years, and they have kept pace with society in terms of technology. The earliest fountains had to have gravity to operate. The Roman aqueducts are a perfect example of using a gradient to create a pressure flow of water. Today many of the larger, more famous, fountains throughout the world operate according to carefully written computer programs and state of the art equipment.

The revolution in fountain technology began in London and Paris. New aqueducts, pipes, and fountains were constructed so that the growing populations of these cities could have access to clean drinking water. Napoleon Bonaparte himself directed the construction of new water canals and fountains, the most famous of which was the Fontaine du Palmier.

Napoleon also has some of the existing fountains restored and refurbished, and built some of the very first purely decorative fountains. After a severe outbreak of cholera Louis Napoleon had the Paris water system and the aqueducts that supplied water for fountains separated completely.

The first fountains in the United States weren’t built until well into the nineteenth century. One of these initial fountains was located in New York, and opened in the year eighteen forty-two. Boston’s first fountain opened in eighteen forty-eight, and the famous Bethesda fountain opened in eighteen seventy-three. America was somewhat behind other countries in terms of fountain building, but in the years since has more than made up for the lack. Some of the world’s most famous fountains reside within the United States today, such as the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas.

The nineteenth century also saw a revolution in building materials used in the construction of water fountains. Things such as cast iron, glass, and the implementation of steam pumps allowed for great strides in fountain design and shape. The steam generators and pumps meant water could be had right in the home, and it was not long before fountains were no longer used to supply drinking water, but were purely for decorative purposes. Another huge development in technology led to lighted fountains.

In the United States fountains initially followed the European styles, but as the century progressed so did the essence of the designs, and the neoclassical style was born. In New York, the fountain at Rockefeller Center, Fountain of Prometheus, was the first built in the Art-Deco style. World War II saw another revolution in style. Fountains created as pure sculpture were being built, as well as fountains designed to illustrate particular themes and ideas.

More modern fountains today may have streams of water that shoot as high as two-hundred feet. The King’s Fountain in Saudi Arabia is now the highest continuous fountain in the world at some two-hundred and sixty meters. Fountains also can be programed to run in concert with music and lights. These types of water shows are extremely popular in cities such as Las Vegas. The long, rich histories of water fountains make them a unique and beautiful addition to any garden or outdoor space.

Loren has written this article for The Soothing Walls Company, If you are looking to buy outdoor fountains than there is no better company than SW.

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