1911 Pyrene Fire extinguisher

As I carefully refurbished the carbon tetrachloride Pyrene fire extinguisher, I marveled at its design and the science behind its operation. This piece represents a pivotal point in fire safety history. The extinguisher utilized a combination of carbon tetrachloride, a potent fire suppressant, and Pyrene, a chemical that helped disperse the extinguishing agent effectively. When activated, the device would release a fine mist of carbon tetrachloride, which quickly suffocated the fire by displacing oxygen. The Pyrene aided in breaking down the surface tension of the liquid, allowing it to spread evenly over the flames. This ingenious mechanism made it an efficient tool for combatting small fires in its time, showcasing the innovative solutions crafted to enhance safety. As I add it to my collection, I can’t help but appreciate the ingenuity and craftsmanship that went into its creation.

Here is how I found it!

Here is mid way through the many hours of polishing and cleaning.

And here it is all polished! Next step will be to back flood the graphic with a black enamel.

Here is a video explaining how it worked!

Here is some old literate I found about it online.