Kids These Days Won't Know What This Is

May 19, 2018 by apost team

You probably have not seen one of these in a long time! Grandma's radiator during the cold winter months playing in the snow or jumping in puddles. You probably remember the banging sounds they made, soft during the busy days, but roaring in the silence of night! These days, central heating has replaced these large heaters.
 

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Remember, every once in a while, the radiator would make a loud BANG noise? This is because of the headers generate warmth. You see, a steam radiator works by warming up into steam and circulating through a series of pips to produce a convection current. Sometimes, when turning the corners of the pipes, the water vapor condenses, forming a slug that slams into the walls of the pipes, making a loud noise. I think there's a ghost in the house when I was a little kid.
 

The first residential steam radiator was invented by a stove maker from Connecticut, Stephen Gold. In 1854, Gold patented his new "Improvement in Warming Houses with Steam." It's called the Mattress Radiator. This is where we start to see the radiator that we grew up with and love. Since then, radiators have been warming homes, all the way through the widespread adoption of central heating. Now, these radiators are hidden in the walls and under the floor.
 

Do you remember, or still have a radiator heater? Let us know! We would love to hear your stories! So, make sure everyone knows you see this and see if any of your friends remember too!