Food storage and preservation has always been a necessary part of human existence, and the refrigerator in your kitchen today represents thousands of years of refrigerator innovation. The history of the refrigerator includes natural preservation methods, technological advances, and new features that help us keep our food cold more efficiently.
Old refrigeration
Depending on the climate, ancient civilizations preserved food using the natural cooling methods available to them. People took advantage of rivers and lakes by storing food directly in cold water or cutting ice for coolers. Storage pits dug into the ground were filled with snow or ice and often covered with insulating materials like straw or sawdust.
Refrigeration without electricity
Coolers located on lakes and rivers were still effective ways to keep food cold before the invention of electricity. If ice or snow was not an option, underwater or underground storage, such as cold cellars, provided refrigeration. People also began building their own coolers for cold storage , using chunks of ice or snow in boxes insulated with natural materials like sawdust or seaweed.
Manufactured ice boxes that more closely resembled modern refrigerators became popular in the 1800s. These designs consisted of insulated cabinet-like structures made of metal or wood with a tray or compartment holding a large block of ice. These blocks of ice were regularly delivered to households equipped with coolers.
Who invented the first refrigerator?
The first example of artificial refrigeration was demonstrated by the Scottish physician and professor William Cullen. In 1748 he observed and demonstrated the cooling effect of the rapid evaporation of a liquid into gas, but did not put this method into practice.
The modern mechanical refrigeration process we know today originated from the work of many inventors in the 19th century. American Jacob Perkins invented the first vapor compression system in 1834, while German professor Carl von Linde patented a new process for liquefying gases in the late 1800s. Innovations in refrigerators led to widespread commercial refrigeration at the turn of the 20th century for industries such as breweries and meatpacking plants.
In 1913, American Fred W. Wolf invented the first domestic electric refrigerator, which had a refrigeration unit on top of an ice box.
Mass production of domestic refrigerators began in 1918 when William C. Durant introduced the first domestic refrigerator with a self-contained compressor.
Why were household refrigerators invented?
Home refrigerators became a necessity as more people moved into growing cities and moved away from food sources. The demand for fresh produce also increased throughout the 19th century. With the distance between fresh food sources and people's homes increasing, it has become especially important to keep perishable foods cool during transportation and at home to extend their shelf life.
How much did the first refrigerators cost?
The first domestic refrigeration units cost between 500 and 1,000 euros, approximately the equivalent of 6,575 to 13,150 euros in today's euros. Therefore, domestic refrigerators were considered a luxury item during the early years of their use.
Why is a refrigerator important for storing food safely?
When did refrigerators become commonplace in American homes?
In the late 1920s, refrigerators began to grow in popularity in private homes. Home refrigeration became even more widespread in the 1930s following the introduction of Freon, a safer alternative to the toxic gases previously used in the vapor compression process.
What are some examples of refrigerator innovation over the years?
- Separate Freezer Compartments: The growing popularity of frozen foods in the 1940s spurred the addition of freezer compartments that could hold more than just ice cube trays.
- Water Dispensers: Water dispensers began appearing in the 1980s, although a water dispenser was included on a custom model in 1969.
- New configurations and colors: The Amana brand introduced the first bottom freezer model in 1947 and the first side-by-side refrigerator in 1949. These configurations, along with new color options in the 1950s and 1960s, offered consumers a variety of styles as refrigerators began to be seen. as well as designer pieces as well as necessary household appliances. In the 1990s, French door refrigerators and stainless steel finishes became popular among homeowners looking for a more modern kitchen look.
- Energy Efficiency: Advances in insulation and compressor technology have helped refrigerators become more efficient, and the ENERGY STAR® rating system began labeling qualified refrigerators in 1996.
Refrigerator Innovation from Whirlpool Corporation
The brands under the Whirlpool Corporation umbrella have been at the forefront of advances in American refrigeration. The Amana brand dominated the industry with the first side-by-side and bottom freezer models and also patented the first auto-defrost refrigerator in 1954.
Today, the Whirlpool brand continues to offer refrigerator innovations, such as pantry-style shelving and adjustable storage for flexible organization, as well as large-capacity refrigerators and small-space solutions.
