Who Invented the Hypocaust System?

After the Western Roman Empire's demise, central heating in homes in Western Europe did not exist until the 20th century. Historians have tried to build hypocausts using the Romans' materials and techniques and have found it very difficult to build walls that did not leak. Sergius Orata invented the hypocaust.

When was the hypocaust invented?

A key invention in the history of baths was the hypocaust which was invented at the end of the 2nd century BC. Though evidence of the floor heating systems exists in earlier models, it seems that the Romans really developed and perfected this technology.

Did the Romans invent central heating?

The basis of the Roman central heating system

To most people, the knowledge of the Romans was that they "invented central heating." Not the type we know today, but a form of underfloor heating that also warmed the walls.