The Mystery of the 1888 Fire-Escape Chair: A Thrilling Amusement That Vanished Without a Trace
While researching an 1888 article about a curious invention called the fire-escape chair. This was an early safety demonstration that also doubled as a thrilling ride. During my research, I stumbled into a fascinating connection with the Italian Exhibition of 1888 in London. That discovery led me down a rabbit hole of research and inspired me to write this post. I’m calling it Mystery of the 1888 Fire-Escape Chair!
The Italian Exhibition was part of a much bigger story, one that started with the rise of international exhibitions in the 19th century. These grand showcases were designed to celebrate global industry, culture, and progress, with the most famous example being the Great Exhibition of 1851 at the Crystal Palace in London. That event, championed by Prince Albert, set the standard for future exhibitions by showing how peace, progress, and innovation could be celebrated on a global stage.
Why an Italian Exhibition?
By the 1880s, though, exhibitions had grown so large and complex that a new idea emerged: focus on one country at a time. This approach started with the American Exhibition of 1887 in London, a completely private venture that didn’t even have official support from the U.S. government. Despite that, it was a hit, showcasing American arts, industry, and products to an eager audience. That success sparked the idea for the Italian Exhibition of 1888, which aimed to shine a spotlight on Italy’s modern achievements. Italy, recently unified, wanted to show the world it was more than just a collection of ancient ruins and Renaissance paintings.
At Earl’s Court, visitors could explore detailed recreations of famous Italian landmarks like the Colosseum, the Forum Romanum, a Pompeian street, and the Capri Blue Grotto. The gardens, inspired by Capri and the Borghese Estate, gave visitors a taste of Italy’s natural beauty. Inside, more than a thousand paintings and sculptures by contemporary Italian artists filled the art galleries. Exhibits on Faenza pottery, glassmaking, and machinery like polishing systems and gas motors showed off Italy’s industrial side.
The Elusive Fire-Escape Chair
A new fire escape in England is a sort of a chair that slides down ropes, and the host of a house possessing it often entertains his guests by permitting them to take a ride. At the Italian exhibition in London it is expected to prove a great rival to the switchback railway.—Wilmington Messenger, July 7, 1888.
The earliest roller coasters were called switchback railways.
Of course, no exhibition would be complete without a little fun. The Switchback Railway was an early roller coaster that took guests on a thrilling “Alpine journey” for just a few pence. Inspired by Switzerland’s rack railway up Mount Righi, it was one of the earliest mechanical rides designed purely for entertainment. And then there was the fire-escape chair, the very invention that started me on this journey. It let visitors ride down an inclined track, simulating a rescue from a burning building. Though it aimed to demonstrate fire safety, it doubled as a thrill ride in disguise.
The exhibition arena offered even more excitement, with dramatic re-creations of ancient Roman spectacles. Guests watched gladiatorial contests, chariot races, and theatrical performances that brought history to life in vivid detail.
After Hours of Exhaustive Research…
Other newspapers also published the Wilmington Messenger clipping verbatim without offering any additional information. After scouring the 1888 Official Guidebook, there was no mention of this Fire-Escape Chair. So, the mystery of the 1888 Fire-Escape Chair continues!
If you’ve ever come across mentions of the 1888 fire-escape chair or know of other early amusement rides that seem lost to history, I’d love to hear from you. This story has led me down a rabbit hole with more questions than answers, and I’m hoping fellow researchers, historians, or anyone with a passion for amusement history can help solve the mystery. Let’s see if we can uncover more about this curious invention and piece together the story behind it. Leave a comment or send me a message—every clue helps!