In the winter of 1866, George Templeton Strong, a diarist, noted the harsh living conditions in his Boston home. Despite using two furnaces and burning numerous fireplaces, he struggled to raise the indoor temperature beyond 38 degrees Fahrenheit, highlighting the inadequacies of heating systems during that era.

This account, featured in Bill Bryson's book "At Home: A Short History of Private Life," illustrates the challenges of maintaining comfort in private residences before modern heating technology. Such historical reflections reveal the stark contrasts between past and present living conditions and the evolution of home heating methods.