Boston Automatic Fire Alarm Company Control

This is a Boston Automatic Fire Alarm Company control, made circa 1880s. This is both a local control and a central station control. It allowed for testing by intentionally disconnecting circuits.

When a circuit that was connected to this control shorted—thus tripping an alarm—the gears and other clockwork mechanics would turn the drum, opening and closing the switches. An operator could determine where the alarm was coming from by which switches were opened and closed.

The Boston Automatic Fire Alarm Company used brass parts because of the metal’s conductivity, malleability, and ease of availability compared to plastic at the time. The Boston Automatic Fire Alarm Company also made their own wire and had their own woodworking shops to produce the masterful custom boxes that these controls sit inside of.