Fire Hose Nozzle with Coupler

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Artifact Overview

Firefighters use hoses fitted with nozzles to douse destructive flames. Early nozzles, like this brass one, created a simple, straight stream of water. Improvements in nozzle design since the mid-1900s have controlled water flow and pressure -- optimizing a water stream's velocity and reach -- and created new dispersal patterns to help put out the fire.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Nozzle

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

35.797.30

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of H. T. Reeder.

Material

Brass (Alloy)
Iron (Metal)

Dimensions

Length: 6 in (nozzle and coupler together)
Diameter: 3.5 in (nozzle and coupler together)

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    Fire was a constant menace to American cities well into the 20th century, when most buildings were made of wood and firefighting equipment was underpowered and overmatched. Firefighters risked their own lives to save those of others, to protect property, and to constrain and contain blazes before they grew into uncontrollable conflagrations. Early firefighting relied on mettle, muscle, and machinery that improved slowly but steadily over time.