The Gamewell Joker -- early fire alarm system

911 Dispatcher: "Where are you?" Caller: "I'm here!"

There was a tragedy in Manhattan the other day when a child went into cardiac arrest. The mom called 911 and gave the address. The rescue team was sent to that address but in the wrong borough. They eventually got the address worked out, but not before the child died. Source: NYPost.com. Unfortunately, human error can still intervene it the most technologically efficient system.

In the early days before telephones, the hi tech fire alarm system was the Gamewell Joker.  Developed soon after electric service became available in cities, Gamewell boxes were placed around the city, and in the event of a fire, someone would pull a lever. Each box had its own signal, and once the lever was pulled, a signal specific to that box was sent to the fire station. The "Joker" at the station would then tap out the signal.

If the box identifier was 123, the Joker would tap once, pause, then tap twice, pause again, then tap three times. Firefighters memorized which numbers corresponded to which box. And when a signal was received, off they went, hopefully to the correct location.

It was quite a device in its day, but Ma Bell came along and sent the Joker to the museum.  Maybe some old timer can tell us why it was called a Joker.

The photo shows a Gamewell Joker that is on display at the San Antonio Fire Academy.

Comments

[fang]

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The exhibition area would be above 72,000 ㎡, 3500 spaces totally, more than 1000 exhibitors, and the total trade visitors would be beyond record of 120,000 in Security China 2008.

For more detailed information, please browse our website: www.securitychina.com.cn
Therefore, Could you kindly confirm whether you have the plan to attend the show in 2010, and we would confirm you the better space location.

Best regards

MR. Fang
Foreign Affairs Committee
China Security and Protection Industry Association (CSPIA)
Tel: 86-10-51920118
Fax: 86-10-51920118
Email: [email protected] [email protected]
Website: www.securitychina.com.cn www.bizcspia.com
MSN: [email protected]
Skype: China-Security

[Geo]

Thanks, Mr. Fang. But I decline.

[Security System]

Thanks for sharing! Having a fire alarm at your house will definitely make you feel secure.