Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-07-07
THE FAMILY HEARTH
Engineers Complete Interesting
Study of Chimneys, Flues
and Fireplaces

Washington, July 5.-Threugh all
the ages of mans evolution from the
cavern and the jungle, the hearth
stone has remained the symbol OF
domestic peace, comfort and hospi-
tality. Types of human domiciles
have changed in every other re-
spect, but the family fire-side re-
mains to us the physical as well as
the spiritual center of the home.
Oddly enough, the development of
the modern fireplace, which is es-
sentially today more sentimental
than unitarian, has been slow. In
fact, until comparatively recent
years, there had been no marked
improvement in methods of build
ing chimneys, flues and fireplaces
over the methods employed centuries
ago. Excavations in Pompeii have
disclosed tireplaces of excellent con-
struction, differing only in such
features as hampers, ash pits and
improved Innings, from the best con-
struction of today. The mantel is
of very ancient origin, but in all
probability it's first employment was
not for the purpose of ornamental
ton, but rather to secure drafts;
and the WORD mantel itself was
originally identical with mantle,
meaning a cloak; and fireplaces in
primitive days were sometimes
covered with a screen-like device.
With greater skill in building Chin
neys, and especially in creating
back walls that improved drafts, the
mantels became smaller and were
used more for decorative effect.
In Persia, even today, the mantels
of fireplaces are placed Immediately
over the openings and not raised
several feet above, as we know
them in this country. In some of
the northern provinces of Germany
and in Scandinavia, where greater
dependence was placed upon the
fireplace for warming as we'll as for
cooking, the chimneys were made
larger and over the fire opening
there was usually a deep offset of
masonry which afforded space at
the top for keeping food warm;
and even served as beds. With the
introduction of side ovens common
to the fireplaces of our own Colonial
period, Offset spaces became re-
positories of all manner of family
mantel seems to have had a duel
development. American homes, no
matter how deliberately equipped
with the most modern heating
plants, still retain the open fire.
place, and the wood fire typifies the
spirit of our family life. 4
Yet. while the modern fireplace is
an indispensable adjunct of the
modern home, there is widespread
lack of knowledge among home
owners, extending even to con-
tractors and architects. in relation
to the proper construction of
chimneys. flues and fireplaces. In
order to present the best scientific
thought in relation to this form of
construction. engineers of the Ma.
tional Lumber Manufacturers AS
ISOLATION after making a complete
study, have published a bulletin as
chapter 3, volume s of the series Of
publications entitled Lumber and
Its Utilization" which the AS
ISOLATION is. issuing. The title Of
this chapter is: "Chimneys. Fines
and Fireplaces." 1t is being dis
fributed to Engineers, Architects.
City Officials, Fire Chiefs. Building
inspectors, Contractors, and to pub
lie and School Libraries.
IN the preface to the chapter it is
pointed out that no single fire