Jan van der Heijden
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Painter and inventor
The versatile Jan van der Heijden was born in Gorinchem on 5 March 1637. Besides being a painter, draughtsman and etcher, he was also an inventor. He is known worldwide for his many cityscapes and as the inventor of an improved fire hose and street lantern. Moreover, he was a good businessman; thanks to his inventions, he died a wealthy man on 28 March 1712.
Gorinchem has one of four still working steam spouts in the Netherlands. In the oude brandweerkazerne in the fortress, a small museum is dedicated to the history of the fire brigade and Jan van der Heijden's invention. Here, the 1910 steam hose is exhibited and demonstrated.
An information board can be found at Eind 24, where Jan van der Heijden lived in a house called De Eland in 1639-1640. Replicas of the old street lamps have also been placed here.
