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A firehose is something we take for granted in our world today. When it’s needed, and there’s a firetruck on the scene, then it’s a given. As you look for industrial hoses in Sacramento, consider how the firehose even came about. The Early Years Accounts of a hose being used to put out fires can be identified as far back as 400 BC. Apparently the hoses were made using ox gut, and the pumping of water naturally was caused by either sitting or stomping on the gut to push the water out of it and onto the fire. Dutch Blitz In 1673, the true firehose breakthrough happened. Jan and Nicolaas van der Heiden developed the first modern notion of a hose. It was made of leather sewn together, similar to the shoemaker’s art, and it stretched to be fifty feet long. In earlier engines this type of hose was strapped to the gooseneck nozzle, which allowed firefighters to get close to the fire with these hoses and stream water more accurately. These two men are credited with developing the first version of a suction hose as well. Philly on Duty The invention of the water main systems in the 1800s really saw this technology start to grow. The Philadelphia Hose Company was founded in 1803, and showed up to their first firefight to upstand all the other firefighters on the scene. They hooked their leather hose right up to a fire hydrant and went to work putting out the fire. Times Were A-Changing During this period of time, material used in firehoses changed. Rivet leather strips were used instead of a leather sleeve, in 1807. These were much more effective, and also pretty heavy, at about 85 pounds. In 1821 rubber became the material of choice. As you look for industrial hoses in Sacramento, it’s nice to know that technology has improved to make these guys so much more effective.
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