Detection and communication methods

Detecting Forest Fires

The tower system was a great improvement in forest fire detection. It was much more efficient than land patrol, covering larger territories. The tower observer had access to better tools. Generally, he was using an Osborne Fire Finder (picture), a map of the territory to be protected and access to communication by radio or telephone. Later, detection by plane replaced the tower system. This technology required fewer personnel.

Methods of Communication

For the network of fire towers to work efficiently, the observers and fire-guards needed to communicate together. The towers were linked by telephone lines. Sometimes, they used radio-communication or simple visual signals when possible.
The picture shows a shipboard spark wireless station (ca. 1910), consisting of key and spark coil making up the transmitter and the magnetic detector, multiple-tuner and headphones making up the receiver.

Lorimer wall set: the Lorimer brothers built and developed an automatic telephone system in Canada, starting in 1906. The system was sold and used in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. It was not compatible with the Strowger system, so it went out of service in the early 1920s.