Daniel Russell knows how to find the answers to questions you can't get to with a simple Google query. In his weekly Search Research column, Russell issues a search challenge, then follows up later in the week with his solution?using whatever search technology and methodology fits the bill.
What could go wrong?
Back in the day, fragile glass globes would be kept in the home to fight fires. The instructions were, more-or-less, "in case of fire, throw this at the base of the flames?" The globe would shatter, scattering a fluid that would chemically help to extinguish the flames.
The globes came in red and blue (possibly other colors as well) and would be kept in places where fires might start?the kitchen, but also the living room (fireplace), and the bedroom (near candles and lanterns).
But in retrospect, these fire-fighting devices were a really terrible idea. They actually seem to have worked, but the fluid they contained was problematic for several reasons.
Now that you know a bit about 19th century fire-fighting devices, let me pose today's challenge:
1. What were these devices commonly called?
2. What problematic fluid were they often filled with?
3. Can you find the original patent for this device?
And for extra credit, should you be inclined, can you find an advertisement from the day showing this device in use? (Some of them are truly wonderful.)
Search on!
Wednesday search challenge (10/24/12): What could go wrong? Fighting fires in the 19th century home | SearchReSearch
Daniel M. Russell studies the way people search and research?an anthropologist of search, if you will. You can read more from Russell on his SearchReSearch blog, and stay tuned for his weekly challenges (and answers) here on Lifehacker.
Image by Photology (Shutterstock).
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