Fire Engines - Hardcover

Wagner, R.L.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1567993826 ISBN 13: 9781567993820

Publisher: MetroBooks, 1996

About this title

From the Publisher

Synopsis
Shortly after the turn of the century, firefighters everywhere began to retire their beloved horses, which for more than forty years had been galloping eagerly to the scene of the blaze with hand- or steampowered pumping apparatus in tow. The age of the horseless carriage had arrived, and even if the first selfpropelled fire engines were not as fast as the horsedrawn variety, they were much cheaper and easier to maintain. Reluctantly, municipal and volunteer fire departments replaced horse-drawn fire-fighting equipment with steam-, electric-, and gasoline-powered engines. Since that time, fire engines have evolved constantly, in terms of both styling and capabilities.

Written by Rob L. Wagner, a veteran reporter and an avid enthusiast of classic cars and fire engines, and vividly illustrated with stunning photographs, Fire Engines is a comprehensive history of these extraordinary vehicles. From the earliest models, which chugged along under steam power at fifteen miles per hour [24kph] and carried three hundred gallons [1,135.51] of water, to the most recent multipurpose engines with 350-horsepower diesel engines and pumping speeds of up to two thousand gallons [7,5701] per minute, this book traces each stage of the fire engine's evolution.

In addition to the major makes such as Ahrens-Fox, Mack, and Seagrave, smaller fire engine manufacturers such as Stutz, Buffalo, and Obenchain-Boyer receive thorough treatments. Sidebars cover such topics as women firefighters, the effects of the two world wars on fire-fighting techniques, and the bitter controversy that erupted when some manufacturers began delivering fire engines painted bright lime green instead of the traditional red (the green was said to be more visible). Finally, a comprehensive glossary provides definitions of unfamiliar fire- fighting terms such as "firebrand" and "end-pumper".

With its informative text and wealth of beautiful photographs, Fire Engines is the definitive volume for anyone with an interest in these fantastic and functional machines and in the people who build and use them.

Edition details

• Publisher: MetroBooks
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1567993826
• ISBN 13: 9781567993820
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 120