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- Harden Glass Fire Grenade, circa 1885 - Glass fire grenades, like this one, were a common type of fire extinguisher used in the 19th century. The glass globe was filled with liquid chemicals intended to suppress a small fire. The user hurled the grenade at the base of the fire and, ideally, the glass broke open and the liquid extinguished the flames.

- circa 1885
- Collections - Artifact
Harden Glass Fire Grenade, circa 1885
Glass fire grenades, like this one, were a common type of fire extinguisher used in the 19th century. The glass globe was filled with liquid chemicals intended to suppress a small fire. The user hurled the grenade at the base of the fire and, ideally, the glass broke open and the liquid extinguished the flames.
- Fire Extinguisher, circa 1959 - Pressurized fire extinguishers, which propel fire-suppressing chemicals with compressed gas, have been in use since the mid-19th century. Improved designs used less toxic chemicals, or specific chemicals that were most effective against certain types of fires. In all cases, a fire extinguisher was intended to stop or slow a small fire before it grew into something more dangerous.

- circa 1959
- Collections - Artifact
Fire Extinguisher, circa 1959
Pressurized fire extinguishers, which propel fire-suppressing chemicals with compressed gas, have been in use since the mid-19th century. Improved designs used less toxic chemicals, or specific chemicals that were most effective against certain types of fires. In all cases, a fire extinguisher was intended to stop or slow a small fire before it grew into something more dangerous.
- American-LaFrance and Foamite Corporation Catalog, "First Aid Attack," circa 1929 - American LaFrance was formed in 1873 to produce hand-powered firefighting equipment. The company built its first motorized fire apparatus in 1907. American LaFrance grew into one of the largest manufacturers of fire engines and emergency vehicles in the United States and -- under the Foamite name -- Canada. After several changes in ownership, American LaFrance ended operations in 2014.

- circa 1929
- Collections - Artifact
American-LaFrance and Foamite Corporation Catalog, "First Aid Attack," circa 1929
American LaFrance was formed in 1873 to produce hand-powered firefighting equipment. The company built its first motorized fire apparatus in 1907. American LaFrance grew into one of the largest manufacturers of fire engines and emergency vehicles in the United States and -- under the Foamite name -- Canada. After several changes in ownership, American LaFrance ended operations in 2014.