Historical Sketch of the Fire Alarm Telegraph
Adam Bosch · Transactions of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers · 1897
publislhed a corn- i--iunication by Dr. W. F. Clhaiing, in which public attention was called to a new application of the telegraph, in these words: "There is a higlhly imnpoitanit applicationi of the Electric-Mlagnetic T'elegraplh to whichl public attenition has not as yet been directed.This is its use in our cities, to give ani instantaneous, universal arnd definite alarm in case of fire.The pecuiliar properties of tlhe telegraplh-rapidity and precision of communication-are, in this instance, preeminently ineeded."The writer tlhenl goes on to u-nfold his plan, substanitially as follows: A central office was to l)e established in somne public lbilding, in whiiel the necessary, battery, togetlher with1 a Morse register antd an alarin bell, slhoild be located; a double wire to proceed froIm thlence over the hloiisetops successively to eveIy en1girne-h1ou1se and fire bell in tlhe city, and retuirn again to coin- pl)ete its circuit to the place fiomn wh-1ence it started.In every station thus established, a Morse register in connection with an alarmii bell was to be placed, also a kev, by the simple depression of wlich ani appropriate signal woulid be instantly conveyed to every othler station on the cir'Culit.lie also suggested the imodification of having five or six eir- cuits, or even a circuit frotii everv-stationi, to the central office.13Y this miietlhod the operator would be able to communicate (lirectlv to all the stations, and, if so desired everv alarnm of fire miglht be made to pass thirough the central office before being commnllilicated to the different stations.Froin amiong the mnany