1949: Robert K. Thulman invented and patented the first triple-wall chimney system.

1952: The chimney system is adapted to the first Thulman fireplace.

1961: Bob Thulman, inventor of the first woodburning “zero clearance” engineered fireplace, founded Thulman Eastern Corporation near Baltimore, Maryland.

1981: Phil Mercer purchased Thulman Eastern, and under his leadership expanded the company to over 20 distribution locations.

1986: To complete the product offering, Thulman Eastern expanded into mantels and marble.

1999: Thulman Eastern acquired Hearth & Home and became American Fireplace Company, based in Annapolis Junction, Maryland.

1951: Roger Sorensen began offering site-built masonry fireplaces in St. Paul, Minnesota.

1974: Kirk Sorensen joined his father and the company was changed to Fireside Corner. They turned the store front building into the first retail store and added stoves and heating fireplaces to their product line-up.

1988: Fireside Corner expanded by adding a larger location in Roseville, Minnesota, to showcase more hearth products in a retail setting.

1990s: The Sorensens acquired six additional stores in Minnesota and aggressively pursued the innovative direct vent gas fireplace technology.

1993: Fireside Corner merged with Wisconsinbased Allied Fire Lite, owned by Ron Skoronski, and became Allied Fireside, Inc.

2000: Allied Fireside and American Fireplace Company, both recognized leaders in the hearth products distribution business, combined their operations and became part of Hearth Technologies Inc.

2001: American Fireplace Company became Today’s Fireplace.

2003: The group was renamed Fireside Hearth & Home to reflect their focus on new products and concepts for the home. Fireside Hearth & Home is the only integrated provider of hearth and healthy home products.