The old “ice box”  

Have you ever heard an older person refer to the refrigerator as an “icebox?”  There’s a reason for that.  

For centuries, the way to keep things cool was to use ice blocks.  In the 1800s, America’s refrigerators were wooden boxes with a drain in the bottom where ice cold be inserted. While it melted, it kept food cool.  

 Ice was also used to improve the meat industry. A meatpacker named Gustavus Swift disliked the fact that live cattle had to be shipped and transported long distances to butchering centers, and then the meat had to be sold quickly before it rotted without the ability for him to sell the by-products of the carcasses.   

So Gustavus Swift hired engineer, Andrew Chase. Together, they developed a refrigerated train car that chilled the air in the compartment by passing it over ice. This single development allowed meat freshly slaughtered in Chicago to be sent to the East – without the cost of feeding, shipping, and walking live cattle to their destinations. It totally transformed the food industry.  

The refrigerated truck by Frederick McKinley Jones 

But the use of ice wasn’t optimal. It had to be transported and had a visibly short shelf-life.  

Along came Frederick McKlinley Jones, a mechanic, electrician, military man, and inventor. Jones developed an automatic refrigeration system for trucks and patented it in 1940. The device was called Thermo King, and it forever changed the world. Within a few years, Jones had modified his design so that it worked on trains, ships, and trucks, allowing the transport of cold products throughout the world.  

The frozen food industry was born.  

But it wasn’t just about food.  

Refrigerated trucking allowed for safe handling of serums, medicines, blood, and medical needs, especially beneficial during World War II. Jones was responsible for developing an air conditioning unit for military field hospitals, and a refrigerated unit for military kitchens!  

His work in refrigeration saved countless lives and enabled us to eat food harvested, processed, and packaged weeks before in another place.   

Refrigerators for every home 

While General Electric developed a mass-produced refrigerator in 1927, they didn’t really take off until later.  

After World War II and the housing boon for the middle class, refrigerators were standard in kitchens. By 1960, almost every American home had one.  

French doors on refrigerators were introduced in the 1990s. Energy Star efficiency ratings gained in popularity, and the size of the refrigerator became a marketing tool. Today, the average size of an American refrigerator/freezer is between 63” and 71” inches wide.  

Not only are refrigerators bigger now, but they are also “smarter.” Many have apps that can monitor the temperature and the humidity level.  Some can be programmed to run at certain hours. Others can track the amount of time the doors are opened. Many now store your recipes, track your grocery list, or even let you watch a show on the integrated screen on the front!  

Refrigeration: Not just for the food industry!  

 Cooling Big Buildings 

The impact of refrigeration on the food system was huge, but the advancing technology of refrigeration forever changed how we work and live.  

Most of us have heard of Willis Carrier and his role in making us “cool.”  

Without “refrigeration,” we would not have the comfort of air conditioning. Our homes, hospitals, schools, apartment buildings, offices, and shopping centers all developed because they can be climate-controlled throughout the year.  

Worker productivity increased with the installation of air conditioning, and one estimate states that 18,000 lives were saved by decreasing heat-related deaths after the mid-1900s.  

Large buildings posed cooling challenges. Ductwork, clogs, and energy waste were hurdles. Now, advanced chillers are used to cool large commercial spaces.  A chiller uses water chilled with refrigerant to precool the air before it is circulated through piping systems and air handlers. This results in cooler air being delivered into each room and helps maintain more consistent temperatures throughout the day.  

With more than 25 years expertly serving commercial businesses throughout the area, Elite Heating and Air Conditioning understands cool. We have installed advanced systems in schools, medical facilities, offices, retail centers, apartment buildings, and senior living facilities. Whether you need a retrofit, a repair, or a replacement, Call Elite Heating and Air Conditioning of South Jersey.  

Your “coolness” is our goal.  

Chill out and call us!