Many devices that were used before the invention of the cone calorimeter were known to be very faulty and had several experimental errors. However, research improved with the addition of the cone calorimeter in 1982. Unlike any other apparatus, the cone calorimeter introduced ‘a system for measuring smoke optically and soot yield gravimetrically.' The changes in design allowed for the operation of the device to become much easier and the data more reliable. It is now considered one of the most important devices for fire testing and fire protection engineering, and its usage in research has grown over the years.