The Influence of Nature on the Outdoor Wall Fountains of Today

The first outdoor fountains were driven by natural energy alone. Such forces as the turbulent jets of water from geysers, like those found in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, have caught the eyes and imagination of humans from the moment of discovery. People are naturally drawn to such dramatic wonders as geysers, waterfalls and other powerful sources. From the still water of ponds to raging rivers, humans have found inspiration for stories, songs, poetry, paintings and more.

Numerous inventions have been created through the careful observation of the characteristics of water and its movement. For instance, over thousands of years, outdoor fountains have evolved. The outdoor wall fountains of today are based on years of design. While the façade of such fountains appears to be powered solely by gravity where the water runs from the fountain head into a basin below, resembling the movement of a waterfall, there is actually a simple pump mechanism behind-the-scenes that pulls the water back up to the fountain head once it has collected in the water reservoir.

Just as no two waterfalls, geysers, streams, or other forms of water are exactly like, the number of outdoor wall fountains of today seem to be endless. In fact, there are numerous artists who will create fountains based on their client’s specifications. This makes each outdoor wall fountain a unique art piece and one that can be suited to best fit the owner’s distinct style.

Fountains draw people in just as natural water sources do. Just consider the Fontaine de la Pyramide in front of the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. As much of a draw as the Louvre is, on any given day, you will find hundreds of people gathered around the fountain reading, resting, enjoying conversation or having a meal. This draw is common for most of the manmade fountains in the world.

Half of the world’s geysers are located in Yellowstone National Park. While the park is beautiful as a whole, thousands upon thousands of visitors a year flock to Yellowstone to observe its numerous geothermal features, including its geysers and hot springs. People are drawn to water in its many forms, so it’s no wonder why so many manmade inventions with water as the primary focus have been popular for centuries. Fountains allow us to enjoy both the serenity and power of water in numerous locations around the world.

Polly Godwin has been an expert on outdoor wall fountains since 1998 and is the owner of DesignerFountains.com, a company specializing in the highest quality garden fountains.