CERN Love » windows http://www.cernlove.org/blog where physics and life collide Wed, 07 Dec 2011 22:53:57 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Mysteries of the water tower http://www.cernlove.org/blog/2009/11/mysteries-of-the-water-tower/ http://www.cernlove.org/blog/2009/11/mysteries-of-the-water-tower/#comments Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:00:41 +0000 biglove http://www.cernlove.org/blog/?p=96 Mysteries of the water tower

Dearest CERN Lovers,

Today I would like to share a few mysteries surrounding the CERN water tower that have confounded me for years, as well as partial explanations I’ve heard that sound plausible but may or may not be true. I am a seeker, always striving to know and to comprehend, so if you have heard other explanations, I invite you to share them.

  1. Why did CERN originally build a water tower?
    An Explanation: to cool one of the experiments (heard this from a well-known physicist).
  2. What is it used for today?
    An Explanation: drinking water
  3. Why was it painted yellow?
    An Explanation: Because a bright yellow eyesore is better than a concrete-colored eyesore.
  4. Why was it only partially painted yellow?
    An Explanation: an Italian firm was taking so long to paint it and increasing their price as they went that CERN management got fed up and called it off before it was finished (heard this from a crazy person).
  5. Why does a water tower need a viewing room at the top surrounded by windows?
    No known explanation

Any help you can offer to resolve these mysteries would be much appreciated!

Sincerely,

Biglove

CERN Water Tower CERN Water Tower An always-running water fountain at the base of the tower for thirsty travelers It's potable! The lion's head is used all over Geneva to indicate potable water ]]> http://www.cernlove.org/blog/2009/11/mysteries-of-the-water-tower/feed/ 1 46.234282475176 6.0409060120583