The sign, $, used in this country to signify a dollar, is supposed to date from the time of the pillar dollar in Spain. This was known as the “Piece of Eight” (meaning eight reals), the curve being a partial representation of the figure 8. The two vertical strokes are thought to represent the Pillars of Hercules, which were stamped upon the coin itself. Pictorial Story of Fire Apparatus [Illustration: MOTOR DRIVEN AERIAL TRUCK[47] The 66-foot ladder of this truck is raised by the motor which drives the machine. A full equipment of scaling ladders and fire-fighting apparatus is carried.] [Illustration: MOTOR FIRE ENGINE AND HOSE TRUCK[47] One of the latest fire-fighting units. A powerful gasoline engine supplies the motive power and drives the pump which has a capacity of 700 gallons per minute. The machine also acts as a hose cart and carries a full complement of firemen.] [Illustration: A CRANE NECK HAND FIRE ENGINE[48] This engine was manned by sixty trained men and under expert operation would throw a stream of 1.53 gallons per stroke more than 200 feet.] [Illustration: THE FIRST STEAM FIRE ENGINE BUILT IN 1841[48]] [Illustration: THE SPLENDID HORSES BY WHICH THE HAND-DRAWN FIRE APPARATUS WERE SUPPLANTED ARE IN TURN GIVING WAY TO POWERFUL MOTOR ENGINES AND TRUCKS.[49]] [Illustration: AN OLD-TIME LAFRANCE PISTON STEAM FIRE ENGINE[49] Built in 1894, at which time it had a capacity of 900 gallons per minute. This steam engine was equipped with a LaFrance boiler. This particular engine was in service in Superior, Wis., and was in continuous service pumping water on a coal fire night and day from November 18, 1913, to February 18, 1914 (just exactly three months), during which time it was only shut down twice to replace burned-out grates and three times to replace broken springs. During all of this time this steamer was incased in snow and ice.] [Illustration: GASOLINE TWO-WHEEL FRONT-DRIVE, FIRST SIZE STEAM FIRE ENGINE[50] Seventy horse-power, four-cylinder motor; speed, 35 miles per hour; locomotive bell and hand-operated siren horn; boiler, 36 x 66 inches; suction hose, 2 lengths, 4-1/2-inch diameter; lanterns, three, fire department standard; hydrant connections; carrying capacity, four men.] [Illustration: COMBINATION CHEMICAL ENGINE AND HOSE CAR[50] Seventy horse-power, four-cylinder motor; speed, 60 miles per hour; hose capacity, 1,200 feet 2-1/2-inch hose; chemical cylinder, one 40-gallon capacity; chemical hose, 200 feet 3/4-inch chemical hose; acid receptacles, two; one 10-inch electric searchlight; locomotive bell and hand-operated siren horn; extinguishers, two 3-gallon Babcock, fire department standard; ladders, one 20-foot extension ladder, one 12-foot roof ladder with folding hooks; lanterns, four, fire department standard; axe, one, fire department standard; pike pole, one; crowbar, one of steel held by snaps; carrying capacity, seven men.] [Illustration: COMBINATION CHEMICAL AND HOSE CAR