Who Invented The Fire Extinguisher?
Key Takeaways
- The first fire extinguisher was patented in England in 1723, by a man named Ambrose Godfrey.
- In 1813, Manby, a British military man and inventor, came up with a portable fire extinguisher that’s much closer to what you’d recognise today
Who Invented The Fire Extinguisher: A Look At History
It’s a question that takes us back a couple of centuries. Before we had neat little red canisters hanging on walls, putting out fires was a difficult task. Back in the 17th and 18th centuries, people relied on buckets of water or sand to douse flames. It worked—sort of—but it wasn’t exactly efficient.
That’s where the idea of a proper fire extinguisher started to take shape. This was patented in England in 1723, by a man named Ambrose Godfrey. In 1723, he patented what’s considered one of the earliest fire extinguishers. It wasn’t anything like what we use today, though. His invention was a barrel filled with a liquid fire-suppressing agent—usually water mixed with a bit of gunpowder—and it had a pewter chamber that would explode when heated, releasing the liquid to put out the fire.
Fires were a massive risk back then, especially in cramped cities like London, where timber buildings were prominent: His device was a game-changer.
Enter George William Manby: The Modern Fire Extinguisher
Fast forward to the early 19th century, and we meet the guy most people credit with inventing the fire extinguisher as we know it—Captain George William Manby. In 1813, Manby, a British military man and inventor, came up with a portable device that’s much closer to what you’d recognise today. His extinguisher was a copper cylinder filled with potassium carbonate (a fire-suppressing chemical) and pressurised air.
Manby’s inspiration came from a devastating event—he’d witnessed a fire in Edinburgh where firefighters couldn’t reach the upper floors of a building. He couldn’t shake the thought that something portable could’ve made a difference. So, he got to work. His invention wasn’t just clever; it was practical. Businesses, homes, and even ships started using versions of it.
So, when people ask, “Who invented the fire extinguisher?” Manby’s name often pops up. But here’s the thing—it’s not a one-man story. Ambrose laid the groundwork, and others tweaked and improved it over time. History’s funny like that, isn’t it?
The Evolution Of Fire Extinguishers And Waste
Since Manby’s day, fire extinguishers have come a long way. Today, you’ve got water, foam, powder, and CO2 versions, each designed for different types of fires. But with progress comes a new challenge—waste. As businesses upgrade their safety gear or replace expired units, the old ones pile up. In the UK alone, thousands of extinguishers reach the end of their life every year.
That’s not a problem, though—it’s an opportunity. At Collect and Recycle, we see those old extinguishers as resources, not rubbish. The metal canisters can be recycled into new products, and the chemicals can often be safely processed or reused. It’s a bit like how Manby took a problem (fires) and turned it into a solution (extinguishers). We’re doing the same with waste—turning something unwanted into something useful.
If your business is located in the UK and you are looking to dispose of bulk loads of fire extinguishers safely, get in touch today. We can provide collections nationwide, ensuring your waste is managed appropriately and sustainably.
