Episode 1 of 1

Fell's Anthracite Heating Demonstration

When: 11 February 1808
Where: Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Part of: Jesse Fell first burns anthracite coal for residential heating

Judge Jesse Fell burned anthracite coal in an open grate in Wilkes-Barre on 11 February 1808 to prove its viability as residential heating fuel.

Fell used an open grate in his fireplace to burn anthracite, demonstrating that the fuel required a bottom draft unlike wood. This experiment established anthracite as a viable residential heating fuel, marking a significant development in the use of coal for heating.

Sources

Anthracite Wikipedia, revision of 2026-02-21
Jesse Fell Wikipedia, revision of 2025-10-19

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