Wood Engraving, Suspended Harness, circa 1884

Summary

In a fire emergency, every second counts. During the 19th century, when fire engines were pulled by horses, fire departments and manufacturers of firefighting gear developed systems to harness horses to equipment as quickly as possible. This illustration shows a harness suspended from the ceiling, where it could be lowered onto a horse swiftly when needed.

In a fire emergency, every second counts. During the 19th century, when fire engines were pulled by horses, fire departments and manufacturers of firefighting gear developed systems to harness horses to equipment as quickly as possible. This illustration shows a harness suspended from the ceiling, where it could be lowered onto a horse swiftly when needed.

Artifact

Print (Visual work)

Subject Date

circa 1884

Creators

Unknown

Collection Title

Seymour Dunbar Collection 

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

82.129.713

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)
Cardboard

Technique

Wood engraving (Process)

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 3.5 in

Width: 4.25 in

Inscriptions

Written in blue ink on mat board: The suspended harness patented by the United States in 1876. Universally adopted by all cities for use in their fire-departments, and continued in such use while fire-fighting apparatus was pulled by horses.

Connect 3

Discover curious connections between artifacts.

Learn More