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Fire Guardians (1932)

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Firefighting through the ages education content clip 2

This clip chosen to be G

Clip description

This dramatised sequence depicts developments in firefighting techniques through the ages. It begins in Alexandria in 250 BC(Before Christ) with Ctesibus who invented the first practical pump. The following scenes depict such later firefighting innovations as the air vessel added to the pump by Hero in 230 BC; the use of bladders filled with water in 1 AD(Anno Domini); buckets in 1300 AD; and the piston engine in 1590 AD.

Curator’s notes

by Poppy De Souza

It is a curious choice to illustrate developments in firefighting by dressing members of the NSW Fire Brigade in period costume (including pseudo-Egyptian attire) – but somehow unsurprising given that Hurley had such dramatic flair (see the yodelling hikers in clip one of Treasures of Katoomba, 1936). The whole sequence continues for another three minutes and depicts firefighters in the Great Fire of London, the use of manual fire pumps, the invention of flexible hose, steam fire engines and, finally, contemporary methods of firefighting. Later in the film, the members of the brigade (some still dressed in costume) strike up the band in an unexpected musical sequence!

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australianscreen is produced by the National Film and Sound Archive. By using the website you agree to comply with the terms and conditions described elsewhere on this site. The NFSA may amend the 'Conditions of Use’ from time to time without notice.

All materials on the site, including but not limited to text, video clips, audio clips, designs, logos, illustrations and still images, are protected by the Copyright Laws of Australia and international conventions.

When you access australianscreen you agree that:

  • You may retrieve materials for information only.
  • You may download materials for your personal use or for non-commercial educational purposes, but you must not publish them elsewhere or redistribute clips in any way.
  • You may embed the clip for non-commercial educational purposes including for use on a school intranet site or a school resource catalogue.
  • The National Film and Sound Archive’s permission must be sought to amend any information in the materials, unless otherwise stated in notices throughout the Site.

All other rights reserved.

ANY UNAUTHORISED USE OF MATERIAL ON THIS SITE MAY RESULT IN CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY.

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