A kugel fountain (also called a "floating" sphere fountain or by the pleonasmic name kugel ball) is a water feature or sculpture where a sphere sits in a fitted hollow in a pedestal, and is supported by a thin film of water. Pressurized water flows between the sphere and socket, creating a mechanical fluid bearing that is nearly frictionless. The sphere can weigh thousands of pounds, but the efficient bearing allows it to be spun by the force of a hand. The sphere does not float, being denser than water; it is often made from granite. Ring sculptures that rotate on an axis are also built.
Kugel fountains can be found all over the world. Many are at popular tourist destinations, such as science museums shopping centers, lobbies, and gardens.
The term kugel is from the German word Kugel for ball or sphere.
Video Kugel fountain
Kugel fountains
Maps Kugel fountain
Locations of kugel fountains
Notes
See also
- Petrosphere
- Stone spheres of Costa Rica
References
External links
- Kugel fountain FAQ
- Terracache dedicated to the kugel fountain.
- Waymarking list of large kugel fountains, with GPS coordinates and images.
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