You'll Never Guess What This Gorgeous Antique Was Originally Used For!
Antiques hold fascinating stories from the past, and sometimes, their original purpose can be quite surprising! One such intriguing item is the antique glass fire extinguisher—a beautifully crafted piece that was once an essential safety tool but now serves as a unique and stylish collector’s item. If you've ever come across one of these stunning glass containers and wondered about its history, you’re in for a treat!
The Hidden Purpose of This Antique Treasure
At first glance, antique glass fire extinguishers resemble decorative bottles or vases, often featuring intricate glasswork, embossed lettering, and vibrant liquid contents. However, these were actually early fire-fighting devices, designed to be thrown directly into flames to extinguish small fires. Commonly used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they contained chemical solutions such as carbon tetrachloride or saltwater, which helped smother fires upon impact.
How Did They Work?
Unlike today’s pressurized fire extinguishers, these glass globes—often referred to as fire grenades—operated using a simple yet effective method:
Breaking the Glass: In case of a fire, the user would grab the extinguisher and throw it at the flames.
Releasing the Chemicals: Upon impact, the fragile glass would shatter, instantly releasing its fire-suppressing liquid.
Smothering the Flames: The chemicals inside, particularly carbon tetrachloride, would evaporate into a heavy gas that displaced oxygen, suffocating the fire.
The Beauty Behind the Design
