Today is a special Day in Anthracite History

Richard S. · By: **Richard S.** On: Fri Feb 11, 2011 10:33 am

This is the day Judge Fell first burned coal on a grate back in 1808, this happened in Wilkes-Barre. The fireplace and I believe the grate was preserved however the house itself was torn down for parking lot I think a few years ago. Unnecessarily as far as I know it wasn't in bad shape and even livable to the best of my knowledge. Coal was used a lot prior to this but the key here is no forced air like you would have in a blacksmith shop:

http://www.luzernecounty.org/living/his ... rne_county

Historians mark the date February 11, 1808 as the day on which Judge Jesse Fell produced his invention of an iron grate that would maintain a fire using anthracite coal – “using air currents in motion by the heat of the fire itself.” Although it is likely that Judge Fell’s invention was not the first grate to successfully burn anthracite, because it was the first iron grate in the Wyoming Valley to successfully burn anthracite, this invention marked the beginning of a new era, and the end of a quiet rural life for everyone who lived in the valley.

coaledsweat · By: **coaledsweat** On: Fri Feb 11, 2011 11:26 am

Thanks for that, it will make it a lot easier to remember the wife's birthday now!

freetown fred · By: **freetown fred** On: Fri Feb 11, 2011 12:02 pm

Great article Richard. My heritage is Deleware or "Lenni Lenape" as we call ourselves, translated,it means, "Original People". My Father & Grandfather used to take me into that area quite a bit. It's a shame a Historical Society or someone didn't get involved with that house demolition

AA130FIREMAN · By: **AA130FIREMAN** On: Fri Feb 11, 2011 12:14 pm

Just think were we might be today without Judge Fell,we might be coming of of a cave, holding a club,and dragging our wives aroung by the hair, WELL 2 out of 3 ainght bad :lol:

RMA · By: **RMA** On: Fri Feb 11, 2011 1:15 pm

coaledsweat wrote:Thanks for that, it will make it a lot easier to remember the wife's birthday now!

"You a very funny boy"

That was good one...!

Bob

Cap · By: **Cap** On: Fri Feb 11, 2011 4:51 pm

coaledsweat wrote:Thanks for that, it will make it a lot easier to remember the wife's birthday now!

So, what did you get her for her B-Day?

coaledsweat · By: **coaledsweat** On: Fri Feb 11, 2011 4:59 pm

Ah... nothing yet. I'm headed out to get the cat at the vets. I'll pick something up. She called earlier and I told her she shared a date with that important historical event and she now wants training to run the Axeman. I laughed and said you just sit there and watch it. Maybe I should get her a nice bag of coal to go with those lessons.

Today is a special Day in Anthracite History

Today is a special Day in Anthracite History

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Re: Today is a special Day in Anthracite History

Re: Today is a special Day in Anthracite History

Re: Today is a special Day in Anthracite History

Re: Today is a special Day in Anthracite History

Re: Today is a special Day in Anthracite History