Ep. 05: George Sigelakis – Reinventing the Fire Hydrant

George Sigelakis didn’t come from engineering or manufacturing — he came from the firehouse. As a New York City firefighter, he saw firsthand how outdated hydrants failed when lives were on the line. That frustration sparked an idea that grew into the Spartan Hydrant, the first major redesign in over a century. In this episode, George shares his journey from late night sketches to a patented, American-made innovation now protecting communities across the country. It’s a story of resilience, honesty, and refusing to accept “that’s the way it’s always been.”