Water Towers

Applied physics always sounded like a practice of big lab experiments and excessively long equations. But, alas these old water towers are also applied physics. When we moved to places where rivers were not flowing down streams in close enough proximity, applied physics came to the rescue. A gallon of water weighs approximately 8.78 kg, when a vertical distance is applied this weight can pressurize itself giving us a pleasant stream of water in the shower. This water must sit above those in need of it for the water to flow with the force of gravity. This raises them above all the surrounding context exposed from the buffers of all other infrastructure. These liquid storage units are completely exposed to the elements, attached to a light frame that reaches to the ground. 

This detachment from context and ground makes them bare to the atmosphere. While slower to react to the weather because of the large mass of water inside that would take long durations to flux, extremes can push these containers past their capacity. Scranton, Iowa's extremely cold weather once froze the water mains, and the resolution was a simple matter of applied science much like the gravity that generates these towers. Officials decided to build a simple fire under the water tower to raise the temperatures back to levels that would thaw the pipes. While another encounter with fire was the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 left few buildings standing. The Chicago Water Tower was one that did not burn in that district. In fact, it was the only public building that survived and the only one that still stands today.

This extended frame of reaction to the atmosphere reminds me of a post-industrial weather ball. With a few tweaks and details these too could react and project the conditions it is exposed.

Scanton and Chicago information from: http://watertowers.com/facts.html