On the morning of February 4, 1864, just after 8:00am, the loud, sharp, incessant tones of a steam whistle pierced the air in Hartford, alerting city residents to danger. As men and women rushed toward the source of the noise in the city’s south end, they were shocked to find the massive East…
Tag: firefighting
August 11: A New Haven Piano Maker Patents the Automatic Fire Sprinkler System
As the Industrial Revolution fueled the growth of American cities at an unprecedented rate during the 19th century, the risk of urban fires increased in turn — especially in an era that preceded building and fire codes. In response to the increase in fire-related damage claims, insurance rates for inner-city businesses skyrocketed in the…