11. Fire Extinguisher

This early 20^th century “Richmond Chemical Fire Extinguisher” was manufactured by the Richmond Chemical Company in Silver Spring, using a tube labeled by the American Can Company, a corporation formed in 1901. This tubular apparatus contained a dry-powder fire suppressant, which has been removed. It was purchased for the collection in 2001.

The directions for use are printed on the tube: “Hang on Strong Hook [when not in use]. Pull Down Quickly Thus Opening the Tube. Hurl the Powder Forcibly With Sweeping Motion Into Base of Flames. NEVER SPRINKLE. For Flue Fires: Throw a Few Handfuls Up Any Opening Below the Fire. HARMLESS to Person and Fabric.” Almost identical directions appeared in an 1886 advertisement for a British “dry powder tube” extinguisher which extolled the wonders of what was then a new discovery.

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