Wonder what's in the picture?
These sand filters were used in the 19th century for water purification, which was a revolutionary concept at the time. The idea of using sand to clean water 💧 originated in 9th century Venice.
Fast forward to 1827, when English engineer James Simpson designed the first efficient sand filter. Just six years later, public workers in Richmond, Virginia attempted to build the first American water pumping station using this new technology, but unfortunately it failed. However, this setback didn't stop other cities from installing sand filters over the next few decades.
Cities like Boston, Cincinnati, and Philadelphia all followed suit and reaped the benefits of cleaner water. 🏛️🌟