Fire hoseIn 1821, a fire hose of cotton web lined with rubber was patented by James Boyd of Boston, Mass. He invented it to replace riveted leather hose. Leather hose had many drawbacks, including drying out, cracking and bursting from excessive pressure. The introduction of rivets (1807), to replace stiching, had allowed higher pressures and greater delivery of water on the fireground. The improved hose now was 40 to 50 feet in length and weighed more than 85 pounds with the couplings. Hose oilers were developed to keep the leather supple and pliable. Various types of oils and other substances were used to keep the hose in shape. By 1871, the Cincinnati Fire Department was using the B.F. Goodrich Company's new rubber hose reinforced with cotton ply. |
