The Rural Voice, 1993-12, Page 431
his bifocals or lightning rods, for that
matter) did not have to observe any
patent rights, and many variations
and alterations were thus tried.
Today, in stoves designed for
maximum efficiency, gases from the
burning fuel are directed into specific
patterns (draft configurations) to the
hottest part of the stove, where they
are ignited, thereby increasing the
amount of heat produced and
decreasing emissions released to the
atmosphere.
In the 20th century, models also
began to be made of steel. Soapstone
was another material used to make
wood burning stoves, and is still used
today. Soapstone absorbs heat better
than either cast iron or steel, and this
marble -like, rust -proof surface
provides slow, steady radiant heating.
Better for even heating than instant
response, it is ideally suited to a cold
climate where the heating need is
constant.
Wood, charcoal, and coal fuelled
the early stoves and fireplaces, while
oil and kerosene stoves were often
used for cooking. As recently as the
mid -1800s, wood provided about 90
per cent of all the fuel consumed in
As recently as the
mid -1800s wood
provided 90% of North
America's fuel
North America. The coal boom of
the early 1900s lowered this to 45 per
cent, and gas and oil reduced it even
further by 1970 — just 1.5 per cent.
(Some countries had higher figures
than this.) Gas was first used in the
1840s for cooking, and interest in gas
increased as it became readily
available. The electric stove (range)
was introduced in 1914. Today, most
homes are primarily heated by gas,
oil, electricity, or coal, but wood
heaters are again popular.
Interest in wood stoves was
rekindled in 1973, at the time of the
Arab oil embargo. People were
looking for alternate means of
heating, and wood stoves regained
popularity as energy consciousness
rose along with the price of fossil
fuels. Although stove technology
had not advanced much beyond
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Res: (519) 524-7942
DECEMBER 1993 39