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- Amsterdam's wealth in the 17th century was overshadowed by high fire risks due to abundant flammable materials in homes and industries.
- The city initially used Hautsch water-pumping engines but they were ineffective at reaching fire sources, leading to devastating losses like the sugar refinery (1669) and Blaeu's printing office (1672).
- Jan van der Heyden, a painter and inventor, introduced street lighting and, with his brother Nicolaas, invented an improved fire engine featuring suction hoses, flexible 'snake' hoses, and continuous water pressure.
- After a 1672 fire demonstration, the Van der Heydens' system was adopted, retrofitting old engines and eventually replacing them with lightweight versions, along with new regulations and incentives for fire response.