When Did Smoke Alarms For Homes Become Popular

[Markxxx]

I know most homes and flats have smoke detectors (or should have) but I was wondering around what time did the smoke detectors for homes first come into play?

I mean the battery powered ones you buy and stick up in the hall for your home?

I would think it would be the late 70s. I don’t recall every seeing anyone have one before then.

[Duckster]

One of the most important fire safety devices for the home is the smoke alarm. After becoming generally available in the early 1970’s home smoke alarm sales grew rapidly and the price fell, so that by 1991, 88% of US homes had at least one, and alarms could be purchased for under $10.

http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pyfff/smkalarm.html

Duane D. Pearsall and Stanley Bennett Peterson are credited with inventing the home smoke detector in 1965.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_4910888_history-smoke-detector.html

[Laggard]

I don’t remember our house having them until the mid-70s and I remember them being fairly pricey.