Brief overview of raised floor history

Ancient technology is an optimal solution for today’s problems
According to ancient information sources, the idea of raised floors was first conceptualized by an Italian entrepreneur who lived between the first and third centuries BC in a small town of Phlegraean Fields (a territory of modern-day Italy) famous for their thermal springs. This rich entrepreneur was the first to use the advantageous, widespread phenomenon called "fumaroles". Fumaroles are specific vapor emissions caused by the volcanic activity of the Phlegraean Fields. Since this time, steam was used as a heating system for ancient baths - therms. In ancient times, a raised floor was assembled in the following way: slabs of 60 x 60 cm (23.6” x 23.6”) were mounted onto blocks of bricks 20 cm (7.9”) wide and 70 – 90 cm (27.6” – 35.4”) high, arranged in a checkerboard pattern. The slabs were covered with liquid cement which hardened when mixed with water; then marble tiles were used. Marble was preferred to other materials because of its high thermal conductivity. Such heating systems were simple to build. Wood-burning stoves mounted on one side of the raised floor produced warm air which circulated in a room constructed between the two levels of the floor. Over time, this building technique was improved and adopted not only in Rome, but spread throughout the entire Roman Empire. Similar raised floors were discovered by archeologists in English Baths, with the only difference being that natural hot springs were used instead of wood-burning stoves.

Debris of Herod’s Temple in Israel, which was his secure citadel until the end of his life	The remnants of raised floors were found throughout the territory that is now modern-day Italy
	The raised floor found in Chester, England which was built by Romans in 400 AD

The first modular, present-day raised floor was constructed by former military man who struggled with stumbling over the numerous machine cables in the dark halls of radar stations. Early computers generated a lot of heat because they were built with electron tubes. Because of this, intense air conditioning was necessary. Raised floors easily solved this problem, bringing air-conditioning directly underneath the floor.

Evolution of the Raised Floor system
1960-1970
The rapid development of cabling and cooling systems for computer and peripheral equipment leads to the mounting of raised floors in rooms with host-centric equipment.

1980-1990
Universal use of personal computers in offices is the next stage in the developing history of the raised floor. Raised floors were used as a part of cooling systems (air conditioning).

XXI century
Installing all engineering systems, including power and optic, voice and data cables, and also conditioning and cooling systems, in the areas beneath raised floors has become an industrial standard. Raised floors offer optimal working conditions and provide easy access to equipment installed under the raised floor.