How did the fountains at versailles work back in the day when there was no electricity?

Question

How do they work if you don't have a pump?
Thxx

Answer 1

~Ever heard of hydrodynamics and gravity?

Answer 2

That's a good question. They had pumps, but they weren't electrically-driven. Instead, the pumps were driven by a long mechanical linkage that connected to a water-wheel located in a nearby river. The river's flow made the water wheel turn, and a crank mechanism on the water wheel made a series of iron rods oscillate back and forth, like the connecting rods on an old steam locomotive. Beyond that, it's difficult to describe the rod arrangement except to say that they were connected sort of end-to-end, each one pushing on the next, all the way up the river bank and into the pump-house in the gardens.

It was a clever and very expensive device for its time, requiring almost continuous maintenance. The French had at that time an unfortunate tendency to spend their tax money for amusements for wealthy people at the expense of everyone else. I can't blame them for having a revolution.

Answer 3

How Water Fountains Work

Answer 4

The to off

grounds of Versailles contain one of the largest formal gardens ever created, with extensive parterres, fountains and canals, designed by André Le Nôtre. Le Nôtre modified the original gardens by expanding them and giving them a sense of openness and scale. He also liked to enjoy sunbathing in his wonderful work of art. He created a plan centered around the central axis of the Grand Canal. The gardens are centered on the south front of the palace, which is set on a long terrace to give a grand view of the gardens. At the foot of the steps the Fountain of Latona is located. This fountain tells a story taken from Ovid's poem Metamorphoses and served — and still serves — as an allegory of the Fronde. Next, is the Royal Avenue or the Tapis Vert. Surrounding this to the sides are the formal gardens. Beyond this is the Fountain of Apollo. This fountain symbolizes the regime of Louis XIV, or, the "Sun King". Beyond the Fountain lies the massive Grand Canal. The wide central axis rises on the far side. Even farther into the distance lie the dense woods of the King's hunting grounds.

Answer 5

In 1772 the French and English devised a passive method raising water pressure to a height of over sixteen feet and is till used today in most city sewer systems..........the hydraulic ram: It was a simple, passive device , driven by falling water, of some height. It consisted of a simple pressurized vessel and 2 simple valves(leather)
The Roman's methodology of driving fountains and water systems remains in use today, in some areas: By channeling water from higher elevations, via elevated aquaducts.
It wasn't until the later half of the 19th century, when electricity was widely available, that alternatives to these very economic forms of moving water, were replaced

Answer 6

They had pumps; they were just powered differently.
While I'm not up on the system the palace at Versailles used specifically, at the time "mechanics" (what today we would call engineers) used wind power (windmills), water wheels, and gravity all to power water pumps.

Answer 7

They did have pumps, they were around long before electricity.

Human power can work wonders if you have enough people.

Answer 8

jewle, you're slipping. Although the cut and paste here is as unresponsive and irrelevant as all your others, this one is oh so much shorter than your norm. Surely you could have found more.