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Fire blowers developed from the kitchen bellows in the early-nineteenth century. This fire blower, for getting more oxygen into the fire to make it burn better, consists of a round metal drum inside which a wheel with floats attached revolves to produce a draught. The wheel is turned by a handle. It was given to Lavinia Smith by Mary Madan.

1 fire blower: metal (sheet iron); wood; good condition

MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'Fire blowers developed from the ordinary kitchen bellows in the early nineteenth century and had the advantage of giving a continuous draught of air. A drum-shaped body containing a wheel with floats narrows into a square pipe. The floats are turned from the outside by a wooden wheel with a handle, and provide the draught. There is also a wooden handle on the end of the drum with which to hold the blower steady. The main body of the blower is made of sheet iron. // It measures 25.5 inches in length. // This fire blower was given to Miss Smith by Miss Mary Madan.', Lavinia Smith No. 172., Lavinia Smith Catalogue (D60/28) - 'A list of the contents of the East Hendred museum. July 5 1940 // Heating and Cooking // 172. A peculiar blower given to me by Miss Mary Maden. This type belongs to the early 19th century.', Lavinia Smith Catalogue (D60/28) [page 43] - 'No.172 // [pencil sketch] // An early fire blower // Miss Mary Maden'

1800-01-01 - 1824-12-31

Early-nineteenth century

Wood, Metal, iron

Rippon, Miss Dorothy May Lyddon (Agent)