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Fire alarm call boxes, also known as fire alarm pull boxes or street boxes, have a long history dating back to their development in 1852. They became an essential part of urban fire protection, allowing citizens to alert the fire department of a fire emergency.
The first practical fire alarm box system was developed by Dr. William F. Channing and Moses G. Farmer in Boston. Their system consisted of telegraph-based boxes placed on street corners, which, when activated, sent a coded signal to a central fire station.
Two years later, Channing and Farmer applied for a patent for their “Electromagnetic Fire Alarm Telegraph for Cities.”
In 1855, John Gamewell of South Carolina acquired the marketing rights, and eventually the patents and full rights to the system.
The Gamewell Fire Alarm Telegraph Company was later formed in 1879. Gamewell systems were installed in 250 cities by 1886 and 500 in 1890.
By the late 19th century, fire alarm call boxes had become a common feature in urban areas. These boxes were typically mounted on poles or buildings and were easily accessible to the public.
In the early 20th century, technological advancements improved the reliability and efficiency of fire alarm call boxes. Innovations included the introduction of battery-powered boxes, automatic signal transmission, and more robust communication networks. These improvements ensured that fire departments could respond even faster to emergencies.
Fire alarm call box use began to decline in the latter half of the 20th century. Several factors contributed to this decline, including the widespread adoption of telephone systems and the advent of modern fire detection and alarm technologies. Additionally, the maintenance of extensive networks of call boxes became increasingly costly for municipalities.
Despite their decline, many cities continue to maintain their fire alarm call box systems as a backup to more modern systems. In some areas, call boxes were upgraded with new technologies, such as radio communication and GPS tracking, to enhance their functionality.
