The Pennsylvanian Fireplace

Franklin had nothing to do with the potbellied stove known by his name today. Rather, his invention was a complicated — and ultimately unsuccessful — device intended to force heat into a room while carrying smoke away. But installing the stove meant rebuilding an entire fireplace, and the device apparently couldn't generate enough air flow to force the smoke out. Nevertheless, Franklin's invention was an important stepping-stone in the development of more efficient home heating.

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