Engineering Fountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Engineering Fountain |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Artist | Robert Youngman |
| Year | 1989 |
| Type | Concrete fountain |
| Dimensions | 11.58 m (38 ft) |
| Owner | Purdue University |
The Purdue Mall Water Sculpture is a cool fountain at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. People often call it the Engineering Fountain. You can find it right in the middle of the Purdue Mall on campus.
This amazing fountain was designed by Robert Youngman. It was a special gift from the Purdue class of 1939. Because of this, it's also known as the Class of 1939 Water Sculpture.
Contents
What Does the Fountain Look Like?
The Engineering Fountain has four tall, curved structures that point upwards. A big stream of water shoots high into the air from the center. Benches are placed all around it, so you can sit and enjoy the view.
This fountain stands 38 feet (about 11.5 meters) tall! It's made from a lot of concrete, weighing 228 tons. There's no fence around it and no pool to catch the water. Instead, the water drains away through a metal grate on the ground underneath. Later, a shiny metal cylinder was added around the main water jet.
How the Fountain Came to Be
The idea for the fountain started with a simple sketch on a napkin! Robert Youngman, who designed it, drew his idea during a casual coffee meeting. He was a professor at the University of Illinois and created many concrete sculptures.
The fountain was officially given to Purdue University in 1989. This happened during Homecoming, which was also the 50th anniversary for the class of 1939. Robert's daughter, Taresah Youngman, even helped with the project. Special lighting effects were also added, creating a twenty-minute light show with the water. The fountain usually runs from April to the end of October, depending on the weather. It cost about $350,000 to build.
Fun Facts and Traditions
The Engineering Fountain is a famous spot on the Purdue Mall. People sometimes call it the Engineering Mall because many engineering buildings are nearby.
When the fountain was first built, it had an open jet that shot 588 gallons of water per minute straight up! Soon, students started a fun tradition: running through the fountain on warm days.
In 2001, the mirrored cylinder was added around the water jet. This was Robert Youngman's idea to help prevent injuries during these "fountain runs." But even with the cylinder, students still love to run through the fountain on hot days, especially after classes or summer graduation ceremonies!
Images for kids
-
The sculpture illuminated at night
