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Search Challenge (1014/15): Fountains… with something other than water?

Dan Russell • October 14, 2015
 SearchReSearch
Republished with permission from SearchReSearch
Search Challenge (1014/15): Fountains… with something other than water? Dan Russell

Something other than water?


This past week I saw a small fountain of molten chocolate at a hotel reception. You know, the kind you hold your skewered piece of fruit beneath, and then, as you try to eat it, the chocolate drips everywhere. If you're not careful, it will end up on your clothes and you'll be wearing an outer shell of solidified cocoa essence.

But I also found out that fountains need not be just devices for shooting water (or chocolate) into the air. I've seen fountains of caramel (a VERY sticky mess), and even champagne.

This week's Challenge is fairly simple, but can be as open-ended as you want.

1. Can you find a (man-made) fountain that uses a toxic metal as its "water"? How made it? Where is it? And why on earth would someone make such a crazy thing? (I was rather surprised when I found this one; I suspect you will be as well.)
2. (extra credit) What would a strategy be for finding other fountains that use other "non-water" substances as their flowing / squirting / splashing element? How would you find other things in this "non-water" category?

Let us know what you find, and HOW you found it!

Search on!

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About the Author

Dan RussellDan Russell

I study the way people search and research. I guess that makes me an anthropologist of search. While I work at Google, my blog and G+ posts reflects my own thoughts and not those of my employer. I am FIA's Future-ist in Residence. More »

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