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Before Japanese introduced Hoffmann kiln, the use of brick material in Taiwan was limited due to its high costs. Most of the bricks had been imported from China. In Taiwan, there were only a few scattered kiln producing roofing tiles. After Japanese occupied Taiwan, they brought along state of the art brick-making Hoffmann kiln, which mass produced bricks, greatly reduced the cost, and promoted the popularization of bricks. This study is focused on the introduction of Hoffmann kiln and the new brick-making technique during the Japanese-occupied Period. By way of gathering and arranging the basic materials, the development of brick manufacture in Taiwan before and around the Japanese-occupied Period was outlined in order to understand the time and background of introducing this new technology. Oral records and literature historical materials were comparatively studied to illustrate the brick production process and the facility, including the principle as well as the process of firing in the Hoffmann kiln. Finally thorough the investigation of remaining Hoffmann kiln case, its construction and structural types were comparatively analyzed.
This is a historical study of brick industry, included three parts as following:
1. A brief description of the development of brick industry in Taiwan, prior to and through the Japanese-occupied Period, till after the Second World War. The courses of invention of Hoffmann kiln and its introduction to Taiwan was summarized. Also the development and influences thenceforth were probed.
2. The process of brick-making, including related tools and mechanical devices were reorganized. The spatial environment of Hoffman kiln brickfield was further analyzed to record its unique life style.
3. The principle and procedure of brick firing in Hoffmann kiln was described in detail. By studying the remained Hoffmann kilns to analyze and comparatively to discuss the construction types, the structural types of kiln body, the kiln chambers, the equipments, and the environment in kiln top.
Hoffmann kiln is an example of the western science introduced into Taiwan by the Japanese. The Hoffmann kiln had been called “the modernized kiln,” because it’s dramatic improvement over the traditional kiln. It utilized the scientific method, effectively used the combustion heat and the fresh air to enhance the thermal efficiency and the productivity. It not only saved the fuel, but also greatly increased the productivity. In postwar period, many Taiwanese brick makers adapted Hoffmann kiln to replace traditional roofing tile kiln and Chamber kiln（Hill kiln, Climbing kiln）. The introduction of Hoffmann kiln resulted in vigorous development of the Taiwan brick industry.
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