What drives us to innovate?

Using the Schuylkill River for energy and supply was a game changer for Philadelphia public health. Steam driven pumps housed in a beautiful building along the Schuylkill River pushed the freshwater  from a low spot to a high spot so that it could travel by gravity in pipes to be tapped for drinking, fighting fires and manufacturing. But the biggest innovation came when the steam pumps were replaced by water wheels to drive the pumps, harnessing  the water power from the river flow. No more expensive fuel to burn to keep the steam power going– nature was now in charge!

Before the introduction of the indoor flush toilet, people used outhouses– sheltered outdoor pits called privies in their backyards.  These pits were lined in brick and usually had open bottoms that allowed the liquid components of wastes to drain into the surrounding soil. Because of Philadelphia’s narrow lots, these privies, too close to the wells,  seeped human waste into the groundwater.

Philadelphians realized they needed a  new, cleaner source for their drinking water. In the 1700s Philadelphia’s development was clustered around the Delaware River – the port – where all the activity was. They looked to the part of the city close to the Schuylkill River, which was a pristine source, with only a few country houses sporadically dotting its banks. Luckily they did not have to go far!  .

This new water supply system was designed to be both functional and beautiful as a  built expression of civic pride, This new public water supply system became an international marvel, admired by visitors, written about, depicted in art work and celebrated widely.

Source:  Water History PHL Water : Water and Drainage Course

Student SLIDE DECK

Begin by showing the video about the history of the Fairmount Water Works and how it was built to address the problem of access to clean water.

Gears, Cogs and Wheels,  produced by Habiteque, Inc.  for the Fairmount Water Works and  Linked HERE  animates  the primary source engineering drawings and early depictions of the water works . Watch this with your students and tap on the numbers in the slide deck to show some of what makes Fairmount Water Works a national engineering landmark.

A guide for viewing is linked below. It includes time stamps and prompts (and possible answers) to help direct student viewing and thinking as you watch this short video.
Step by step viewing with time stamps and student questions

After viewing the video show the images of water works from various locations and time periods in the  Student SLIDE DECK 

You will go through the deck twice. The second time, Ask your students:

To respond to these reflection questions about the design of these buildings

What do you notice?  What surprises you ?  Does the outside give you any clues as to what the building is used for inside?

If the building could talk, what would it say to you ?  If it had feelings, what would that be?

Once they have answered these questions students will have a chance to design their own pump house.

They will make their own facade of a new building with a pumping machine for drinking water inside. Print out  this template and ask students to fold along the lines. The flaps will be at the front of the building . Fold your paper in thirds so that the flaps obscure the machine but can be opened to reveal it . Fold it along the dotted line. Now consider the blank half the outside of the building – its facade.  Design this exterior. Students can add windows  to their design by drawing them but for fun, they can use scissors to cut them out so they can view the interior pump! Emphasize that it should be their own expression and style but welcome to take inspiration from anything around them or in their lives.