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brother_mark | all galleries >> photo some days >> Photo A Day 2004 >> January > January 13, 2004
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13-JAN-2004

January 13, 2004

Well, I did some research on fire hydrants today. A lot of Washington's hydrants were made by A.P. Smith Mfg. Co. of East Orange, NJ and later Newark, NJ. (Smith patented their fire hydrant in 1896.) I've seen the name a lot lately. : > (They appear on the firehydrants.org website. Yes, a whole website dedicated to firehydrants and valve sizes! And they get the credit for the info I've repeated here.) A.P. Smith manufactured fire hydrants until 1966 when they were bought by US Pipe and Foundry, Chattanooga, TN. Their name may have continued to be used until 1970 when production moved to TN.

Today's hydrant was manufactured by James B. Clow and Sons Company. Their name is clearly visible on the flash lit image (link below). Eddy Valve Company was purchased by Clow in the 1940s and the name continues to be used as a division of James B. Clow. This hydrant seems to have a date of 1996, if that bottom number is the date. It's in about the same shape as the city's schools. : (

I couldn't get a lot of light on this during the time exposure, but I like the look. However, the flash exposure starkly reveals the hydrant. Unlike Patrick, I've been getting out of work well past sundown and even after rush hour, hence the paucity of car lights in this photo. Tomorrow I hope will be different.

I see from the hit count that fire hydrants aren't very exciting. Oh well. Personally I liked this crane better. Washington is full of cranes and orange cones and construction/renovation projects, too, but I'm trying to continue with my unexciting theme. Reykjavik, Iceland apparently has some cooler looking fire hydrants. (Hint, hint Pall.)

Nikon Coolpix 3100
4s f/5.6 at 5.8mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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brother_mark15-Jan-2004 05:44
Bill and Bear's fire hydrant is worth checking out!

Yes, Jeanne, YOU told me.

Thanks Susie and Pat. Never thought how you might like these photos. But of course.

Thank you, Jill. Book title: "Arson!"
Jill14-Jan-2004 15:59
This image could be used for a bookjacket cover. A mystery book for example. The mist in the air, late at night. I LOVE fire hydrants and feel they make good subjects Mark.
Susie 14-Jan-2004 13:37
Mark, we like this photo. Of course, fire hydrants are big around here. Pat always has me take pictures of hydrants where ever we go and he uses them in his presentations. We even have one from Disney. I prefer this picture, but Pat prefers the other one. Are you totally digital these days????
Guest 14-Jan-2004 05:49
Still no eggs. Looks like it's up to me. Who ever looks at the evil, mesmerizing hit counter anyway? ;))
As for the picture, I think i'd like it more if the background was blacker. I haven't checked the other photo yet.
Rob
Guest 14-Jan-2004 05:45
I see you got the 4 second exposure to work...it only took me 4 months to find it!
wpmadden14-Jan-2004 05:27
nice treatment of hydrants, neat to see the totally different styles in different cities, I will have to remember to shoot them more when travelling. Made me dig out a few from the past
http://www.pbase.com/wpmadden/hydrants