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Chicago & Northwestern Railway Fire Grenade

Specifications

Chicago & Northwestern Railway Fire Grenade

Category

Agriculture and Environment

Classification

CHENHALL - Tools & Equipment for Science & Technology - Regulative & Protective T&E - Protective Devices - Device, Fire Protection - Extinguisher, Fire

Object Origin
Producer:

Chicago & Northwestern Railway

Date Manufactured:

1871-1895

Physical Characteristics

Object Description: Elongated clear glass bottle containing a bright blue liquid. Horizontal text is embossed on the front.

Materials:

glass

Marks: "C.&NW. Ry."

Measurements: Object:
    Length: 17.5 in, Diameter: 2.5 in
    Weight: 2.2 lbs

Credit

Museum Purchase, 2009.9.4

Display Status

Not On View

Chicago & Northwestern Railway Fire Grenade

About: Chicago & Northwestern Railway Fire Grenade

About: Chicago & Northwestern Railway Fire Grenade

This “grenade” was an early fire-extinguishing device used by the Chicago & Northwestern Railway to combat fires on trains and in rail yards during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Typically a glass or ceramic container filled with a chemical, the fire grenade would be thrown at a fire, breaking upon impact and releasing a substance that could suppress or extinguish the flames. These grenades were part of an early effort to improve railway safety before modern fire fighting systems were developed. Today, they are considered collectible antiques and a reminder of the innovative safety measures used by railroads during that era.

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