| The first fire engines actually predate the | | | | more mobile than previous steam-driven fire |
| automobile; steam-powered fire engines were | | | | engines. Still, many smaller fire departments |
| first used in the mid-nineteenth century. They | | | | continued to use steam powered fire engines until |
| were actually quite commonplace before the | | | | as late as 1920. In fact, the term "fire truck" did |
| introduction of the mobile fire apparatus. | | | | not come to replace the earlier "fire engine" or |
| By the turn of the century, they took the form | | | | "fire apparatus" until the 1930's. However, by 1910 |
| of horse-drawn or automobile versions with hand | | | | to 1920 motorized fire trucks became |
| water pumps mounted on the back. The first fire | | | | commonplace in most cities. |
| engine was in fact used by the Cincinnati fire | | | | Many small companies still took part in the |
| department in the 1850's. These represented a big | | | | development of fire trucks once they were no |
| shift from earlier methods of fighting fires, | | | | longer steam-powered. By 1913, the Ahrens-Fox |
| including bucket lines. Still, they looked nothing like | | | | Manufacturing Company of Cincinnati became |
| modern fire engines or even those that would | | | | well-known for replacing horse-drawn fire engines |
| appear by 1900. Most engines of this era were | | | | with fire trucks. However, perhaps the most |
| found in urban cities Because of limited demand, | | | | famous manufacturer of fire apparatus is Mack |
| the trucks from 1900-1960 were usually limited to | | | | Trucks, a company that began building fire trucks |
| unique designs from local manufacturers. | | | | around 1911. With a characteristic snub-nosed |
| Not only were there countless fire apparatus | | | | hood, the Mack truck earned the name "Bull Dog" |
| manufacturers, but there were also many | | | | for its performance. Mack trucks were produced |
| competing departments in most cities of this early | | | | in one form or another all the way until 1990, |
| era. Until professional departments were | | | | making them one of the most recognizable types |
| developed, these volunteer brigades often fought | | | | of vintage fire trucks. |
| against each other, trying to outdo each other by | | | | By 1960, the roots of the modern fire apparatus |
| obtaining the biggest and best fire engines. | | | | could clearly be seen. 1950's and 1960's trucks |
| Because red was the most expensive paint color, | | | | came standard with modern water pumps. The |
| most crews ended up painting their trucks red, a | | | | 1930's to the 1960's also saw the development of |
| tradition that stuck. The color red was also | | | | an aerial ladder for reaching tall buildings. The |
| chosen because of the stark contrast with most | | | | longest aerial ladders have reached a height of |
| early cars, which were black. | | | | 150 feet, sometimes even requiring their own |
| By the turn of the century, fire trucks became | | | | trucks. Also during the 1960's, the first diesel fire |
| more and more necessary as many towns | | | | trucks were developed. Although the firefighters |
| switched from volunteer to professional fire | | | | using most early fire engines sat on the sides of |
| departments. Crowded cities required newer | | | | the engines or even on the rear, modernized fire |
| technology with efficient water pumps that were | | | | trucks included fully enclosed seats for the crew. |