December 4, 2008
The first fire engines in the U.S., called hand pumpers, were shipped to New York from England in the 1700s. Water was pumped from the tub by volunteers working long, parallel handles on the truck. American manufacturers produced similar hand pumpers until the early 1800s, when the steam pumper was developed, which supplied a continuous stream of water more effectively.
The earliest fire trucks were hand pulled to the scene, but by the mid-1800s, horses were used to draw the steam pumpers and running boards, and back steps were added to the vehicle. In 1906, the Radnor Fire Company in Wayne, PA began offering a pumper with two gasoline motors, bringing fire trucks into the modern age.
If you're interested in collecting vintage fire trucks or apparatus, some of the manufacturer names you'll want to explore include Waterous, Ahrens-Fox, Dedrick, Mack Trucks, Peter Pirsch and Sons, American LaFrance, New Stutz Fire Engine Company, Seagrave, Sutphen, Babcock, Snorkel, Spartan Chassis, Inc. and Emergency One. You may also want to consider starting with vintage model fire trucks, which take up considerably less space!
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SouthCoastToday.com, MA -
From noon to 5 pm, trolley rides will provide transportation throughout the area while there will be antique fire truck rides from 1 to 4 pm The Whaling ...
Humboldt Beacon, CA -
Fire truck rides on an antique fire truck, live nativity scene, carolers, refreshments, a visit from Santa and great giveaways make this a holiday night to ...
Monroe News Star, LA -
He'll arrive on a fire truck. Schepis Museum — 106 Main St., Columbia, Christmas open house from 3-5 pm, Saturday just before the downtown Caldwell Country ...
Leelanau Enterprise, MI -
Volunteers will play Christmas carols on the antique organ in the keeper’s residence as well. At 3 pm, Santa Claus will arrive by fire truck to visit with ...
Times Of Huntington, NY -
He also rides the antique fire truck in Huntington parades. His father, Frank Ambrosio, served in the fire department for 53 years. His late brother, Frank, ...
Providence Journal, RI -
Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by fire truck at 11 am Children’s activities will also be offered at CDRec from 2 to 4 pm Included will be pictures with ...
WHIZ, OH -
We've got Santa Claus coming in on an antique fire truck. So it's a neat time. It's the holiday season so it's a great time to go out and see friends," he ...
Nashua Telegraph, NH -
Santa will enter on a fire truck and will be listening to wish lists in the fire department. Before and after the lighting, the Friends of the Library will ...
Marked Tree Tri-City Tribune, AR -
No one will be allowed to park or enter on Hester Parker Road except the Marked Tree fire truck and police escorts. Organizers ask that everyone stay off ...
Madison Messenger, VA -
The Draper Volunteer Fire Department’s Model T fire truck, Santa Claus and homemade floats will also be part of the children’s Christmas parade. ...
$1,136.00 Ends Monday 11 bids
$317.00 Ends Saturday 7 bids
