In 1977, Kurt Rumens first began selling stoves to supplement
his income as a rock musician. Soon, some retailers started suggesting
product improvements so he drafted sketches incorporating the best
ideas and submitted back to his manufacturer. He quickly received a
terse letter telling him to stick to selling and not product development;
but recognizing the importance of aesthetics and efficiency in hearth
design, he used the feedback as the foundation for his own heart-products
company. So in 1979, he created what
is now known as Lopi.
The next year, Lopi pioneers
the now standardized use of clear ceramic glass
and a pre-heated airwash system within wood stoves to keep
the fire viewing opening clean. In 1984, Lopi becomes the first
U.S.
hearth
products manufacturer to develop an EPA-certified, non-catalytic
wood stove. Today, Lopi is the brand now known for its American
classic
style of innovation into its high-performance wood, gas and
pellet burning stoves, fireplaces and inserts.