This vintage postcard shows a fine Percheron horse pulling a steam powered fire engine. This breed of horses even existed during the ice age. They are huge, hearty, and perfect for this task! They were bred in La Perche, France (hence the name) for military, farming, and later firefighting purposes.
Napoleon Bonaparte can be credited with creating the first professional fire brigade in 1793. He devised a division of the French army called the, ‘Companie des gardes-pompes which is literally ‘The Company of Pump Guards.’ This little vintage postcard Napoleon is winking at you.
The French word for pumper, "pompier" became the name for French firefighters to this day. Paris was protected with 30 manual pumps by 1800.
The hand pumps had been invented in England in the 1700’s The contraption had long, parallel handles that required many men to pump up and down rapidly draining the water from the machine's tub.
These little boys are budding firefighters! The vintage postcard is labeled Concours des Pomiers (Firefighter Race).