Monday, June 11, 2007

Today in History - 1742

Today is credited as the day Benjamin Franklin invented his Franklin Stove - a metal-lined fireplace with baffles in the rear to improve the airflow. Also known as the circulating stove, it provided more heat and less smoke than an ordinary open fireplace. Although in current usage the term "stove" implies a closed firebox, the front of a Franklin stove is open to the room.