The chap who developed thermal underwear was also the guy who designed the first percolating coffee pot. Apparently not only was he into underwear and drinking coffee, he also enhanced the design of the chimney, and all this sometime during the late 1700’s. By restricting the opening of the stack, he enlarged the up-draught, which is supposed to get the smoke up and away into the chimney, rather than leaving the smoke lingering longer in your living area. By now you have guessed that Sir Benjamin Thompson aka Count Rumford was not around when our chimneys were built here at number 19. Tonight I am more than thrilled to report that two of those chimneys have bitten the dust.
