image courtesy of wikipedia

   Fires in Roman times were frequent and severe. Most of the houses in the towns and cities were very densely packed and were constructed from timber, which caused rapid spread of fire.

   The Romans rallied together groups of slaves to form one of the first known fire brigades to protect Rome in 6BC. The firefighting equipment that was utilised was very basic and usually consisted of a manually operated double cylinder force pump used as a fire engine. The pump generated a continuous jet of water, which was directed at the seat of the fire.

   Very little progressed in the organisation of firefighting until the end of the 17^th century. Fires were both regular and wreaked havoc on communities. Ignition sources were numerous including oil lamps, open fires, cooking stoves and lighted candles.

    It was during this period that a number of laws and regulations were passed to protect from fires. One particular law was passed in AD872, which stated that all open fires were to be covered at night when a bell was rung. Many further regulations were enforced, in large houses in the cities a large ladder had to be made available in order to rescue the inhabitants and neighbours in case of a fire.

    Generally firefighting equipment in medieval times consisted of nothing more that a bucket and fire hook. A later development was the “squirt” which was basically a large syringe type pump in which water was drawn up by withdrawing the plunger and than the plunger is depressed and water directed at the seat of the fire.

    The first fire engines were nothing more than squirts on wheels with large operating levers. Germany lead the way in fire engine manufacture with various forms being used, the designs of which were brought back to Britain and manufactured.

    During the great fire of London in 1666 a number of fire engines were available but very little impact was made due to the ferociousness of the fire. But what happened next was that there was a heightened need for further innovation and development of the fire engine.

     In 1674 the delivery hose was invented which allowed the jet of water to be directed accurately at the seat of the fire.

    It was in 1690 that John Lofting patented the first fire engine to be fitted with a wired suction hose, which replaced the cistern and could be connected to a water source.

   There then followed another lull in development until 1725 when a gentleman called Richard Newsham was granted a patent for a new type of fire engine. This new type of fire engine utilised a series of foot treadles and pumping levers on each side so that a maximum number of men could be used to perform the pumping duties so providing a more powerful water jet. These fire engines were to become very popular with estates and municipal towns.

    A further enhancement of this fire engine took place in the 19th century when the unit was constructed with wheels, brakes, springs, a set of larger folding pumping levers and a driver’s seat. The pumping levers were hinged so they could be folded in whilst mobile. This was to be an era of many advances in fire engine efficiency but a major advance came in 1829 in the form of steam power. Despite of the efficiency of steam power these fire engines were met with great opposition due to the expected loss of manual jobs and the loss of income for many firemen so much so that only a small proportion of these steam power fire engines were sold.

   It was not until 1860’s that the steam fire engines were redeveloped giving greater efficiency and performance over the large manual units. Owners of country houses, municipal and industry predominantly used them. It was around the late 1880’s that estate brigades were formed consisting of uniformed helmet wielding fireman.

    In 1900 Merryweather and Son introduced the self-propelled steam fire engine, which was set to become the forerunner of today’s highly efficient fire engine appliances.

Post from: History of fire fighting, fire fighting collectibles and firefighting antiques

History of the Fire Engine