Many centuries ago, wood, brushwood and peat were fuel, which was used by all. So that it burn, and, accordingly, gives warmth, it takes a lot of time and effort. Therefore, the fire and flint, giving sparks, and the rubbish, which included dry leaves, was protected as the apple of the eye. It lasted until the invention of matches.
It was difficult to maintain heat, so people were warmed up by a joint fire. Most often it was located in the main hall. Many even stayed there at night.
Gradually, houses increased in size. And the place where the fireplace was located was one of the main. Therefore, they began to pay a lot of attention to chimneys. Even a whole system of heat distribution over the house was developed. In Europe, I had to pay pipes tax, so the construction of chimneys has become unprofitable economically. But by the middle of the 16th century, brick pipes and skillfully lined fireplaces, which were decorated with biblical plots, began to gain all the great popularity. Skillful artisans realized that you can make everything in shape-image, and then just duplicate their work. The material was easy to get, and the price was small. Each artisan had an album, as we say today – a catalog, with various forms. Therefore, the customer could see and choose the most he liked design.
The use of fireplaces entailed not only the creation of comfort in houses, but also created a threat, especially in wooden buildings. For example, the Great London Fire, where the whole city burned down.
From that era, almost everything has changed in the fireplaces. Only tools (poker, stalk, stings, forceps) retained their essence (poker, soviet). Even today, every fireplace has “his friends”. In the 90s, fireplaces on firewood began to lose their popularity. Gas matters began to go out at the leader’s position, and then they were changed by an electric fireplace.