Winters noticed that firemen had to take ladders off of their wagons to climb to windows, rescue people, and spray water on fires. He thought they should have ladders that they could raise that were already mounted to the wagon. The ladders were easier to raise with Winters’ invention. It was harder to carry and put up regular ladders.
Winters’ invention was utilized by the Chambersburg, Pennsylvania fire department who mounted the ladder on a horse-drawn wagon.
Here is another wagon-mounted fire escape ladder with a design similar to the one patented by Winters. This model is being auctioned at James D. Julia, Auctioneers.
Source: My Black History; Wikipedia; James D Julia
Patent Information
Publication number: US203517 A
Patent Title: Improvement in fire-escape ladders
Publication date: 7 May 1878
Filing date: 28 Dec 1877
Inventors: Joseph E. Winters
Original Assignee: F one
