The idea for the design was sketched on a napkin when Robert Youngman was at a casual meeting over coffee in the Purdue Memorial Union.

Youngman was a professor at the University of Illinois and completed a large number of concrete sculptures between 1962 and 1995.

Originally built with an open jet that shoots 588 gallons of water per minute straight up into the air, students soon created the tradition of running through the fountain on warm days.

[5] In 2001, a mirrored cylinder was installed around the jet at Youngman's suggestion to prevent potential injuries incurred during fountain runs.

[6][7] This cylinder has not stopped students from participating in the tradition of a fountain run on warm days after class or after the summer graduation ceremonies.