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I am continually impressed by the latest and greatest technological advancements in irrigation systems, and marvel at how far the science of watering has progressed. Irrigation actually originated in Egypt around the 6^(th) millennium BCE; systems were mostly canals that led from a water reservoir--usually a lake or pond--to crops that were further inland. But the people of Persia, India and, most famously, Rome, took irrigation a step further by creating complex aqueducts to serve their needs. Unfortunately, much of that knowledge was lost during the Dark Ages, but the concept of irrigation survived, and its purpose has expanded beyond the growth of crops. I doubt the Egyptians could have imagined delivering water by highly technical, automated irrigation systems to sports fields, golf courses and public parks.
We have come a long way since the advent of irrigation, but at the same time, maybe we haven’t come far enough.
Irrigation systems do make our lives easier. Like most green-industry professionals, you probably have enough experience with irrigation systems to understand the basic benefits, but as with any technology, its true worth lies in how to make it work for you.