When Were Chimneys Invented?

The first chimneys were constructed in castles. The first one we know of is from the 12th century. “If the later Middle Ages had made only slight improvements in lighting over earlier centuries, a major technical advance had come in heating: the fireplace, an invention of deceptive simplicity.

Where does chimney originate from?

The word chimney comes ultimately from the Greek kaminos, "furnace," and in 13th-century Old French it became the more familiar looking cheminee, "fire place." As chimney fires became a serious problem, the chimney sweep became an important person, cleaning the soot from chimneys.

Did medieval castles have chimneys?

The History of fireplaces in castles

Chimneys were a later addition to castle walls. The chimneys are on the outside walls as they stick out. Domestic fires were located in the middle of the main room or hall. Halls would often have lanterns built into the roof which would let out smoke and sometimes the heat.