History Of Refrigerator Invention & Who Invented Refrigerator

Introduction

People have been preserving food for thousands of years, but refrigeration is a relatively new invention.  A refrigerator is an electrical device that keeps food cold, preventing it from spoiling. It works by using electricity to cool the inside of the fridge to a temperature lower than the ambient temperature.

How did people keep food cold before refrigerators?

Before refrigerators were invented, people stored food in any way possible to keep it cool.

• They took advantage of rivers and lakes by storing food directly in the cold water or cutting ice for ice houses.
• Ice houses on lakes and rivers were still effective ways to keep food cool before the invention of electricity.
• Underwater or underground storage, like cold cellars, provided refrigeration before mechanical refrigeration became available at home.
• Manufactured iceboxes that looked closer to modern refrigerators became popular in the 1800s but weren't widely available until after WWII when electric refrigerators became more common due to new technological developments during World War II (1939-1945).

Read more: How To Clean Your Refrigerator And Get Rid Of the Smell in 3 Easy Steps

History of Refrigerator Invention: 

The history of refrigerator invention goes back centuries, with many inventors working to create the machine that could keep food cold. 

William Cullen, a Scottish professor, and physician made the earliest invention of artificial refrigeration in 1748. Although he didn't employ the technique in practice, he showed how quickly evaporating a liquid into gas has a cooling impact.

The work of various inventors during the 1800s led to the development of the modern mechanical refrigeration technology used today.

A German scientist named Carl von Linde developed a revolutionary method for liquefying gases in the late 1800s, while an American named Jacob Perkins created the first vapor compression device in 1834.

By the turn of the 20th century, advances in refrigeration led to widespread commercial refrigeration, particularly in sectors like breweries and meatpacking factories.

Fred W. Wolf, an American, built the first home electric refrigerator in 1913, which comprised a refrigeration unit on top of an icebox.

When William C. Durant unveiled the first house refrigerator with a self-contained compressor in 1918, mass production of domestic refrigerators officially picked up steam.

The initial price of a household refrigeration unit ranged from $500 to $1,000, or around $6,575 to $13,150 in modern currency. Thus, during the early years of its use, household refrigerators were seen as a luxury items.

The popularity of refrigerators in private houses began to rise in the late 1920s. After Freon, a less hazardous substitute for the toxic gases previously employed in the vapor compression process was developed in the 1930s, home refrigeration usage increased even further.

(However, there may be some differences in opinions and details among historians and experts in the field.)

Also read: How Many Watts Does A Refrigerator Use? Everything You Need To Know

Examples of refrigerator innovation

The refrigerator has been around for a long time, but there's still room for improvement. Here are some examples of innovation in the world of refrigerators:

• Water dispensers: Water dispenser has become very popular in recent years. It allows you to easily get a glass of cold water without opening your fridge door and letting all the cold air out.
• New configurations and colours: Manufacturers have come up with all kinds of new ways to make refrigerators look more modern, such as side-by-side models that allow you to see everything inside at once instead of having multiple doors on top or bottom (as was common before). They've also created many different styles ranging from sleek black stainless steel to brightly coloured plastic finishes!
• Separate freezer compartments: These days most refrigerators come equipped with separate freezers so that you can store meats, vegetables, and other perishables separately from nonperishables like bread/cakes/ice cream containers, etc.
• AAT (Automatic Anion-releasing Technology) technology allows the TCL refrigerator to release negative oxygen ions to clean and sterilize the air, effectively removing odors and bacteria, and keeping food fresh for longer. This technology is effective against all common foodborne viruses, including norovirus and rotavirus.
• Multi Air Flow™ technology of TCL refrigerators ensures air is distributed evenly throughout the refrigerator, so you can keep food well-preserved and at the perfect temperature.
• TCL Bio Fresh technology ensures that fruits and vegetables remain fresh by keeping them moist and preventing air-drying or dewing. Additionally, the technology helps to discharge ethylene, which is responsible for the ripening process, thereby prolonging the freshness of the produce.

Buy a TCL refrigerator and get freshness preservation, intelligent circulation of air and smart temperature control to keep your food fresh and safe.

Conclusion

The refrigerator has come a long way since its ancient origins of using ice and snow to cool food and drinks. The invention of the modern refrigerator has revolutionized food storage and transformed the way we live. With continued advancements in technology, we can expect refrigerators to become even more efficient and convenient in the future. We hope you enjoyed learning about this amazing invention!

Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube for the latest updates on our TCL products and events.