Swinging Horse Collar Patent Model
Period1880
Place MadeKansas City, Missouri
MediumWood, brass, leather
Dimensions6 × 2 × 9.5 in. (15.2 × 5.1 × 24.1 cm)
SignedSigned on tag in ink, "Geo. C. Hale / Swinging Harness / (Received) April 27, 1880
ClassificationsAgricultural T&E
Credit LineMuseum Purchase, 1959
Object number1984.514
DescriptionPatent model is constructed of two wooden halves forming a teardrop shaped collar. Wooden pieces are grooved to hold an encircling brass piece which is attached to the wood with screws; the brass band is hinged with interlocking pieces. On the bottom left side is a small ring for attaching I.D. papers.NotesGeorge Consider Hale was born on October 28, 1849, in Colton, New York. In 1863, Hale moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where he first worked as a machinist and engineer. He joined the local fire department, and by 1879 was appointed assistant chief. In 1882, Hale became Chief of the Fire Department. Hale was dedicated to firefighting, and put his mechanical and design skills in the development of a wide variety of inventions, many of which answered direct needs of firefighters. Among much else, Hale invented a rotary engine, a swinging horse harness, electric-wire cutter, spray nozzle, and many more. Nationally recognized as an expert on firefighting, Hale toured the United States and Europe with "Hale's Fire Fighters," putting on firefighting drills and displays for fire departments and the general public. Hale was interested in improving the speed of harnessing and readying the horse teams which pulled the fire engines of the late 19th century. His design for a swinging horse collar was granted patent no. 229120 on June 22, 1880. Hale transferred the rights of his design to the Kansas City Fire Department for its own use. Among Hale's more interesting inventions was a design for a pair of men's suspenders which incorporated fire-resistant cording for use in escaping a fire on upper floors of a building. Hale was highly respected in his field, and his death on July 14, 1923, was met with many tributes from fellow firefighters.
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