and early 20th centuries demonstrate a design philosophy in which function and appearance went hand in hand. Their construction could include glass vessels, metal fittings, decorative labels, and carefully crafted components.
Unlike the standardized appearance of many modern fire extinguishers, some historic models were designed to be visible and accessible. Their distinctive shapes, materials, and labels gave them a character that modern safety equipment rarely possesses.
The use of glass was particularly striking. In certain types of early extinguishing devices, a glass container made it possible to see the chemical
