By Alexander Marcus ’30
Autumn has arrived, and with it brings school, pumpkins, and the cold. Though the chill creeps in, you feel content, all because of the household heating appliance that’s modern journey began in 1834. Cue the radiator…
The term ‘Radiator’ was first used by an American astronomer and physicist named Denison Olmstead. He was patenting a cast iron stove. His stove’s method of heating was through a heat exchanger. What is a heat exchanger? A heat exchanger is a system in which heat is transferred between two liquids through a conductive metal border, rather than the liquids mixing. The advantage of this is a lower risk of cross contamination between the liquids.
Seven years later, Joseph Nason, an engineer, founded the Nason Manufacturing Company. In 1863, an inventor named Robert Briggs worked with Joseph Nason to develop an early radiator. Meanwhile, in Russia, a company named the ‘Franz San Galli Mechanical Plant’ was founded. This company was owned by a businessman named Franz San Galli, who, in 1857 patented an early radiator, which was named ‘Hot Box’. The Franz San Galli Mechanical Plant had numerous other projects, such as the installation of gas lamps to St. Petersburg’s streets.
Radiators became increasingly more common, and had numerous advancements, including the Bundy Loop (an internal upgrade), and a material change (cast iron to steel). Some older radiators contained built-in functions, such as towel warmers, sock warmers, and bread warmers. Sadly, the radiator’s dominance in our lives eventually faded.
In the middle of the 20th century, other forms of heating, such as forced air furnaces, also became available. These systems overtook the radiator, as it was pricier to maintain and provide fuel to a radiator than maintaining an air-related heating system. Additionally, air-related systems can provide heat in the winter and cool air in the summer, which maximizes efficiency.
These days, some radiators still exist in older houses. People keep them for their durability, and antique aesthetic. Radiators are also still advantages to those with seasonal allergies, as allergens aren’t circulated through the vents. While you may not have a radiator at home, the next time you turn on your home’s heating system, I encourage you to remember one of humanity’s first safe and efficient heating sources; The Radiator.