An antique red cast iron outdoor Fire Alarm Box with a ring inside by The Gamewell Fire Alarm Telegraph Co. New York. The box is embossed with an inscription, Fire Alarm Box Consolidated to Call The Fire Dept. Break Glass Pull Down Ring Fire Alarm Co, on the front. A fire alarm box, fire alarm call box, or fire alarm pull box is a device used for notifying a fire department of a fire. Typically installed on street corners, they were the main means of summoning firefighters before the general availability of telephones. Circa: Late 19th century. In 1855, John Gamewell of South Carolina purchased regional rights to market the fire alarm telegraph, later obtaining the patents and full rights to the system in 1859. Fire Alarm Boxes, Fire Alarm Call Boxes, or Fire Alarm Pull Boxes and Collectibles.