The man was clearly a fraud. He claimed to be the inventor of a revolutionary device that would save countless lives, but it was all a lie. His closest associate was a […]
The Courageous Inventor Who Fought Fire and Prejudice
What Can You Expect With a Name Like Millard Fillmore?
Some people seem destined for greatness on the basis of their names, alone. Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar, for example, may have achieved success as secretary of the interior and associate justice of […]
Using a Nuke to Put Out a Fire
Since the dawn of the nuclear age, much of the diplomatic and military strategies of nations have centered around preventing the world from going up in flames in a nuclear holocaust. Some […]
Don’t Spend Christmas in the Emergency Room
Christmas is a time to spend in church, shopping in stores, and visiting the homes of family and friends. For too many people, it is also a time to spend in the […]
Fire Destroys Fire Hydrant Patent
As far as we know, Frederick Graff, Sr., Chief Engineer of the Philadelphia Water Works, was the inventor of the fire hydrant. We think he received a patent for his ground-breaking invention […]
Centralia: the Ghost Town of the Unquenchable Fire
Centralia, Pennsylvania used to be a quiet, busy town. Today it is quieter than ever, and the population has dwindled from 1,200 to 7. The reason for the community’s decline has nothing […]
Keep One Hand Free to Slap the Inventor
We all know that pulling a fire alarm as a prank shows serious lack of judgment. When it comes a lack of judgment, however, few could surpass the inventor of the Fire […]
The Torch Has Been Passed … And Possibly Caused a Fire
The world watched the peaceful transfer of power on January 20, 1961, as the oldest President to that point, Dwight D. Eisenhower, handed the reins of power to the youngest elected President, […]
The Day President Lincoln Became a Firefighter
The job of President of the United States can often be described as one of constantly putting out fires. Of course, we expect that to be a figurative description. For one President, […]
Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire. Really. As in, “Help! Fire!”
Every year the firemen of Gillingham, in Kent, England, would construct a makeshift house out of wood and canvas for the popular fire-fighting demonstration at the fundraiser for St. Bartholomew’s Hospital.
FDR’s Fears
President Franklin D. Roosevelt encouraged Americans to overcome the challenges of the Great Depression by boldly proclaiming, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” He could have saved time […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 