Frank Fowler Loomis
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Frank F. Loomis | |
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 Frank Fowler Loomis in 1915 | |
| Born | April 2, 1854 |
| Died | September 19, 1936 (aged 82) Akron, Ohio |
| Occupation(s) | Electrical and mechanical engineer |
| Known for | Inventing the first police van |
| Notable work | Fire alarm and control system |
Frank Fowler Loomis (April 2, 1854 – September 19, 1936) was an American engineer and inventor who worked for the Akron, Ohio fire department. He developed the city's fire alarm and control system, and built the world's first police van.
Early life
[edit]Loomis was born in Akron, Ohio on April 2, 1854, as the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Loomis. He attended Akron public schools until his father's death in January 1862, later living with an uncle in Wadsworth for the next seven years. In 1869, Loomis worked at Merrill's Pottery for a year, and became a volunteer fireman in the Akron fire department that same year. He later learned the blacksmith's trade before becoming a minuteman at a steamer in 1870.[1] He slept at the fire station and worked as a street vendor during the day. His first job at the fire department was as a telephone operator and would sound the alarm to get volunteers in case of a fire.[2]
Family
[edit]Loomis married on July 10, 1879, to Barbara Grad, in Akron.[1]
Career
[edit]Fire alarm patent
[edit]
In 1874, Loomis and another engineer developed and deployed four telegraph fire alarm boxes. These were placed at key businesses throughout the city of Akron. The system was in need of updates and further improvements, but the city would not fund it. Loomis, another engineer, and the fire chief purchased wire from a defunct telegraph line to make these improvements. It was soon realized that the operator could not give an accurate signal while under the influence of a fire. Loomis then developed an alarm box that worked by turning a crank which then automatically gave the correct signal. In 1885, he was granted a patent for an alarm box[3] that worked by breaking glass and pulling a lever which opened the box and in turn sent out an automatic signal.[4] Loomis was promoted to city engineer in January 1881.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Perrin 1881, p. 736.
- ^ "Loomis Funeral Wednesday; Called 'Rel Akron Builder'". The Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. September 21, 1936. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com
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- ^ US patent 323435A, Frank Fowler Loomis, "Fire-alarm-telegraph box", published 1885-08-04, issued 1885-08-04
- ^ "An Inventive Akron Fireman's Improvement In Boxes". The Summit County Beacon, page 1. Akron, Ohio. August 12, 1885 – via Newspapers.com .
Bibliography
[edit]- Perrin, William Henry (1881). History of Summit County. Baskin & Battey.