|
|
It's also home to a number of institutions and memorials. Phipps
Conservatory is the best-known inhabitant of the park, but it's worth
spending some time getting to know the many public sculptures.
In front of it is a pond with a fountain. At the end of the pond, a boy standing in the prow of a boat (he represents future generations) surveys the many accomplishments of George Westinghouse, whose prolific inventions made him second only to Thomas Edison in number of patents issued.
It's because of Westinghouse's air brake that high-speed train travel is possible. It's because of Westinghouse that we have alternating-current electricity in our homes (Edison insisted on the impractical direct-current system). Westinghouse signals kept trains from colliding; Westinghouse turbines made hydroelectric power possible.
All these things are shown in panels of this beautiful memorial, which was given by thousands of Westinghouse employees to the memory of their beloved founder.
Everywhere
you go in the park, you'll find remarkable sculptures. As you cross the
Panther Hollow Bridge (behind Phipps), pause to admire the stalking panthers
by Giuseppe Moretti, one of Pittsburgh's favorite sculptors. Even some
of the the water fountains were designed by famous sculptors.