Wiktor Wise
Before the invention of electricity, ancient fountains were powered through the use of gravity, with water flowing from elevated sources into large cisterns, which created enough water pressure for the fountains to operate. For example, ancient Rome's public fountains were gravity-fed by aqueducts, which transported water from surrounding hills into the city. The water was stored in cisterns, similar to modern water towers, which created sufficient water pressure for the fountains to spray water without the need for mechanical pumps. In addition, the use of the Archimedes screw, which could be linked to a treadle, allowed for the redirection of a small amount of water through passive pumping. Another example is the fountains of Versailles, which were powered by the Machine de Marly, a complex system of 14 large paddlewheels turned by the River Seine to power over 200 water pumps.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Power source | River current |
| Mechanism | 14 huge wheels/paddlewheels, each more than 30 feet in diameter |
| Function | Ran pistons for more than 200 water pumps |
| Water storage | Two elevated reservoirs with leather sealing gaskets |
| Location | Versailles |
| Name | Machine of Marly |
| Water height | Minimum of 10 to 12 feet necessary to produce a proper jet |
| Water pressure | Every foot of height generated 0.43 psi |
| Ancient Rome | Water transported from surrounding hills into the city via aqueducts |
| Ancient Rome water storage | Large cisterns |
| Ancient Rome water pressure | Sufficient water pressure generated by cistern elevation |
| Pump type | Passive pump (Archimedes screw) |
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What You'll Learn
The Machine de Marly
The construction of the Machine de Marly began in 1681 and was completed in 1684. It was inaugurated by King Louis XIV and functioned for 133 years until it was destroyed in 1817. The machine suffered from frequent breakdowns, required a permanent staff of sixty to maintain, and often needed costly repairs. It was replaced by a steam engine built by the architect Cécile and the engineer Martin. However, operating costs remained high, and the machine was changed again in 1859 to another hydraulic machine conceived by the engineer Xavier Dufrayer.
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Gravity-fed water from aqueducts
The use of gravity-fed water from aqueducts to power fountains was a common practice in ancient Rome. The Romans constructed aqueducts to transport water from outside sources, such as surrounding hills, into cities and towns. These aqueducts were engineered with precise gradients to maintain a steady water flow using gravity, often over long distances. The water was then stored in large cisterns or "water castles," which acted as settling tanks. The elevation of the water in the cisterns provided sufficient water pressure to operate the fountains without the need for mechanical pumps.
The priority for water distribution in ancient Rome was given to public fountains, followed by public baths, and then private users. Rome's aqueducts supplied water to numerous public fountains, including the famous Trevi Fountain, which showcases a blend of classical and Baroque styles. The Aqua Appia, Rome's first aqueduct, commissioned in 312 BC, supplied water to a fountain at the Forum Boarium, the city's cattle market.
The use of gravity-fed water from aqueducts allowed ancient Romans to create impressive fountain displays without relying on electrical or steam pumps. The height or force of the water jet was dependent on the amount of fall between the reservoir and the fountain, with a minimum drop of 10 to 12 feet required for a proper jet. The water pressure generated by gravity alone was sufficient to create the necessary force for the water jets in these ancient fountains.
In addition to powering fountains, the water from aqueducts was also used for various other purposes, including public baths, latrines, private households, mining operations, milling, farms, and gardens. The free provision of potable water from aqueducts was considered a gift from the emperor to the people of Rome, showcasing the importance of water distribution in ancient Roman society.
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The power of gravity
Ancient Rome's public fountains also utilised gravity-fed water from aqueducts, which transported water from surrounding hills into the city. The water was stored in large cisterns, providing the necessary height to generate water pressure for the fountains to operate. The elevation of the cistern alone created sufficient water pressure, with each foot of height generating 0.43 psi, allowing the fountains to spray water without mechanical pumps.
Similarly, ancient aqueducts were engineered with precise gradients to maintain a steady water flow by gravity, often over long distances from their source to the city. The height or force of the water jet in a fountain depends on the amount of fall between the reservoir and the fountain, with a minimum of 10 to 12 feet necessary to produce a proper jet. This principle of using gravity to create water pressure remains relevant even today, as modern water towers function similarly to ancient cisterns.
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The Archimedes screw
The screw consists of a circular pipe enclosing a helix, inclined at an angle of about 45 degrees with its lower end dipped in water. Rotation of the device causes the water to rise in the pipe. The screw can also consist of a helix revolving in a fixed cylinder or a helical tube wound around a shaft. The open troughs and screw design permit the passage of debris without clogging.
Archimedes screws are used in sewage treatment plants because they can handle varying rates of flow and suspended solids. The low rotation speed of screw turbines reduces negative impacts on aquatic life and fish. This technology is used primarily at fish hatcheries to lift fish safely from ponds and transport them to another location.
Archimedes screws are reversible hydraulic machines that can be operated as pumps or power generators. The screw is turned by hand, and the rotating shaft can be used to drive an electric generator.
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Water pressure from cisterns
The elevation of the cistern alone created sufficient water pressure, with each foot of height generating 0.43 psi of pressure. This allowed the fountains to spray water without the need for mechanical pumps. The water would naturally spring up due to the elevation, and the pressure could be further increased by using a taller cistern or one with a smaller opening at the bottom.
Ancient aqueducts were engineered with precise gradients to maintain a steady water flow over long distances. The water would flow into the city by gravity and be stored in the cisterns, which were similar in concept to modern water towers. The main difference is that cisterns are filled from the top, while water towers are typically filled from the bottom.
The height or force of the water jet in a fountain depends on the amount of fall between the reservoir and the fountain. A minimum fall of 10 to 12 feet is necessary to produce a proper jet. This can be adjusted by changing the height of the reservoir or the size of the jet nozzle.
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Frequently asked questions
Fountains before electrical pumps utilised gravity-fed water from aqueducts, which transported water from surrounding hills into the city. The water was stored in large cisterns, providing the necessary height to generate water pressure for the fountains to operate.
Ancient Rome's public fountains functioned without motors. Water was piped in from outside the city, from elevated sources, so when piped into fountains, the water would naturally spring up.
The fountains of Versailles were fed by an enormous pumping machine, the Machine de Marly. It featured 14 paddlewheels, each about 38 feet in diameter, turned by the Seine to power more than 250 pumps, forcing river water up a series of pipes to the Louveciennes aqueduct.
One method mentioned in an illustrated book of fountain designs from 1879 was the use of horses. Another method was the use of the Archimedes screw, which could be linked up to a treadle, making it a passive pump that uses the energy of flowing water to redirect a smaller amount of water.
