Bob Martin wrote:

These all look incredibly modern compared to the boiler in my house when
I moved in (1969). It was oil, which was dripped into a round dish and burned
with a swan-neck pipe blowing air into the centre of the dish. It packed up
about 3 weeks later.

Yes, mine would have come second, but I ripped it out a year or two
back. It dated was made by Powell Dufryn (?) in 1963, cast iron, one
section, the thermostat was operated by gas pressure. Still working
when I dumped it, the most complex bit was a buzzing solenoid valve. It
lit with an alarming 'whoompf' sound.

In comparison, see this;
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg18424734.400.html