Anna Connelly

Pioneered fire safety with her invention of the exterior steel staircase, saving countless lives in urban fires.

Anna Connelly, a 19th-century inventor, made a groundbreaking contribution to urban safety with her invention of the exterior steel fire escape. At a time when crowded tenements in cities like New York and Chicago were prone to catastrophic fires, Connelly's design provided a reliable escape route, particularly for upper-floor residents. Her 1887 patent for a 'fire-escape bridge' featured a retractable staircase that connected adjacent buildings, enabling safe evacuation during emergencies.

Connelly's innovation addressed a critical need in rapidly industrializing cities. Prior to her invention, many fire escapes were poorly designed or nonexistent, leading to tragic loss of life. Her work not only influenced building codes but also inspired later safety regulations. Today, her legacy lives on in modern fire escape systems, which remain a staple of architectural safety worldwide.

For more on her impact, visit NFPA.