A Chance Discovery
In the 1870s, American firefighters descended from their quarters using spiral staircases or tube chutes. Both were slow in emergencies. One day, a firefighter at Chicago’s Company 21 slid down a wooden hay pole during a call, inspiring Captain David Kenyon to create a permanent pole for faster descents.
Transforming Firehouses
In 1878, Kenyon installed the first firehouse pole, leading from the sleeping quarters to the ground floor. While the idea initially drew skepticism, Company 21’s speed in reaching fires soon made others take notice. By 1880, the Boston Fire Department installed a brass pole, which quickly gained popularity.
National and Global Adoption
Within a decade, firehouses across the U.S., Canada, and Britain had adopted the pole, recognizing its efficiency. The brass pole design remains common, often with padding at the base to soften landings for firefighters.
In the 1870s, American firefighters descended from their quarters using spiral staircases or tube chutes. Both were slow in emergencies. One day, a firefighter at Chicago’s Company 21 slid down a wooden hay pole during a call, inspiring Captain David Kenyon to create a permanent… pic.twitter.com/C6YsRX51nA
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