Gizmodo: water fountain

Vortex Fountain Scares the Piss Out of Traditional Fountains

Mark Wilson — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EDT

The Vortex Fountain eschews gentle, soothing streams for a powerful water funnel. The illusion of a standing block of water is created by an acrylic case hidden by transparency and water cascading down the sides, and the vortex itself is formed through the combination of strong, alternate currents of water that collide in the tank. Depending on the angle from which you view the fountain, it alternates between a majestic restraint of nature and an oversized science experiment involving expensive two-liters. Here's a clip of the Vortex Fountain in full vortexness:

[WilliamPye via OhGizmo]

Faucet Fountain Eliminates Paper Bathroom Cups, Recreates Grade School

Jack Loftus — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 15:30:00 EDT

For only $4, I can see little reason not to get this ingenious little Faucet Fountain attachment for the sink. It eliminates waste (no more paper cups in the bathroom), it saves you from having to wash extra cups in the kitchen, and it recreates those grade school gym class memories all in one. Plus, when not in use, the bottom pops out and allows the faucet to work normally.

[Tiny Living via The Kitchn]

Automatic Cat Faucet is One DIY Hack That Felines Will Love

Elaine Chow — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 14:30:00 EDT

Luckily, my cat was always too dumb to make the connection between the faucet and fresh water, so she's made do thus far with just sipping from her water dish. But I've heard that once kitties taste from the tap, they never want to go back. For running water addicted cats, MAKE contributor tsruzik has constructed a pretty ingenious automatic cat faucet using an IR sensor and some tubing.

The hack requires a little plumbing know how and some circuitry work, which makes it slightly harder than your normal DIY project. To help you and your pets out, Tsruzik has put together some kits for order. Prices range from $10 to $125.

The end product works a lot like those sinks that automatically turn on when you waive your hands under them—except instead of detecting hands, it detects cats. Tsruzik has even thrown in an optional “people detector” so that the faucet won't run every time a person walks by. Check out the video to see some cute kittie drinking action:
[MAKE]

Solution w/o Problem: Water Tree Light Also Serves Water

Kit Eaton — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 11:12:31 EST

This pendant lamp concept by a group of Korean designers has an extra function as a dinner table water fountain: hot and cold water is delivered by the globe "fruits" you can see plugged into it. So yes, it's a nice idea and certainly seems convenient, but no no no! Water supplies, light bulbs and electrical wiring all hanging over your head ready to plunge down and zap your dinner party into the next life? Sounds like too much of an electrical Sword of Damocles to us. [Yanko Design]