 A satellite dish is a perfect example of the reflective

properties of parabolas. The signals that are received are

directly sent to the focus, which are then correctly reflected
to a receiver (signals are sent out parallel to the axis).
These signals are then interpreted and are transmitted as
channels on our TV. The same principle applies to radio
frequencies too. Parabolic mirrors and heaters also work on
the same principle.
 Fountains spray water in the air, the water jet propels
upwards reaching a specific altitude, and then comes back.
Again the path traced by the stream of water is similar to a
parabola.
 The Sydney Harbor bridge. Built in the 1930’s and spanning
one of the world’s greatest harbours, and with a view of one
of the world’s most beautiful cities, it shows off two
parabolas in action: but of slightly different shapes and
sizes.
 The Church of the Risen Lord is a Protestant church which
was proclaimed in the fifties as “an engineering masterpiece
with its double parabola.” The chapel was saddle-shaped, a
hyperbolic paraboloid with flat ends. The lower slopes of the
vaulted wall were punctured by windows and vertical louvers
at both sides of the longitudinal elevation.
 Arch of Cinquantenaire, Brussles, Belgium – The Arch was
planned for the world exhibition of 1880 to commemorate
the 50th anniversary of Belgium as an independent country.
However, the construction was not completed in time. It
took many more years but the construction was finally
completed in 1905, just in time for the 75th anniversary of
the independence of Belgium.