Shire Albums Fire engines

Type

Publication

Authors

Whitehead, Trevor

ISBN 10

0852635559

ISBN 13

9780852635551

Tags

Fire engines, History, Illustrations, Steam power, Horse power, Motor vehicles, Safety, Design, Fire-fighting

Series Name

Shire Albums

Abstract

The sophistication of the modern fire engine has taken a long time to achieve. This book examines the origins of man's attempts to construct a machine capable of extinguishing fires. It traces the history of the fire engine in Britain from the 17th century to the first successful design, in 1725, the introduction of the steam-powered pump in the mid 19th century, the ousting of horses by motor engines, the growth and development of the Brtish fire engine industry, changes in design broight about by the Second World War, and the evolving of the costly and complex machines which are used to fight fires today. The illustrations reveal the diversity of designs from the early manual engines and horse-drawn steamers to the open-bodied and limousine motor fire engines of pre-war days and the crew safety vehicles of the 1980s.

Number of Copies