Revson Fountain, in front of the Metropolitan Opera House, is as iconic a New York City landmark as you can imagine.<\/p>\n
The dancing waters, bursting from more than 350 nozzles arranged in concentric circles, are quite a sight. You may have seen them in \u201cMoonstruck,\u201d where a dolled-up Cher meets Nicolas Cage before they see a show together, or in \u201cGhostbusters,\u201d when Bill Murray hops and spins around the water feature as he waits for Sigourney Weaver.<\/p>\n
I swung by Lincoln Center earlier this month to meet with a few of the fountain\u2019s engineers and learn how they keep it running. After a few minutes of observing its majestic movements, they led me down a winding path to an underground control room. One all-powerful iPad controls the fountain\u2019s movements. The two engineers smiled at one another with childlike delight as they selected a programmed effect labeled \u201cshooters,\u201d and then we scurried back upstairs.<\/p>\n
Lincoln Center engineer Patrick McLaughlin<\/p>\n
Thomas Wilson for Gothamist<\/p>\n
Streams of water shot like cannons straight into the air, arcing at heights of up to 60 feet. Wind is a major factor in the fountain\u2019s management; Patrick McLaughlin, who serves as director of engineering and facilities operations at Lincoln Center, told me many of the most ambitious effects aren\u2019t displayed unless it\u2019s a windless day, like it was when I visited.<\/p>\n
This sunny afternoon seemed perfect for the dramatic effect, until a sudden gust of wind sprayed water onto a family of tourists from Hong Kong. They were completely soaked, but continued to gaze at the fountain in awe.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that kind of made the experience, actually,\u201d said Michael Petrie, the father of three giggling teenagers. \u201cThat\u2019s what you should come here for.\u201d<\/p>\n
Revson Fountain was completed in 1964 and is named after Charles Revson, whose cosmetics company, Revlon, gave Lincoln Center $300,000 to build the water feature. It was upgraded in 2009 by a California design firm called WET Design.<\/p>\n
Thomas Wilson for Gothamist<\/p>\n
The fountain has become known for its choreographed water shows, which on special occasions are timed to lighting and music cues. The control room’s iPad runs the programming, a secluded space that also houses noisy water pumps. McLaughlin didn\u2019t hesitate when asked if he has a favorite water effect: \u201cShooters. Shooters!\u201d he said. \u201cAs many days as we can sneak them in.\u201d<\/p>\n