As a basic answer to this very vague and un-specific question, I'd have to say, the first cave dweller who lit a warming fire in his cave. -For an answer regarding modern heating,you'd have to ask about a specific type of heating.
benyamin franklin
Sir Eric Wood-burning-oven
Socheat:D
a woman
Virgie ammons invented the fireplace damper in September 30,1975
J. Brunander, 1926 in Portland, Oregon
The flue is the actual pipe or chimney where the damper is the mechanism that opens and closes the flue
If it is a wood burning fireplace- yep.
The purpose of the fireplace damper is to keep the outside elements, outside. The damper is opened only when there is a fire in the fireplace.
You close the damper when you are not using the fireplace too keep air from coming in and to keep the air from being sucked out. This is most important in the winter. You don't want cold air coming in and your heat sucked out. When you are using the fireplace you have to open the damper to allow the smoke and fumes to escape.
Shut and Open
fireplace
If you are looking for more information on where can you find info about fireplace flue damper, the best place to look is on www.csia.org/FAQs/tabid/120/Default.aspx
FIREPLACE
When you use the fireplace, the damper should be open all the way. If not, you probably will not get enough updraft and your house will fill up with smoke...not a good thing. When it is not in use, the damper should be closed...otherwise you will lose a lot of heat up the chimney.
the flue should be opened