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The History of the Refrigerator's Invention

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  1. Before the refrigerator, the era of the ice-based icebox

    Before refrigerators became widespread, people had ice delivered from ice warehouses and placed it in a wooden icebox to keep food cold, requiring a fresh supply of ice to be delivered regularly, especially during the summer.

  2. The early development of mechanical refrigeration technology

    After Jacob Perkins received a patent for the principle of vapor-compression refrigeration in 1834, mechanical refrigeration technology developed further in the late 19th century through the research of figures such as Carl von Linde, and industrial refrigeration equipment was first put to use in industries such as meat and beer production.

  3. The popularization of household refrigerators in the 1920s-30s

    From the 1920s onward, companies such as General Electric released household electric refrigerators, gradually lowering prices, and over the course of the 1930s, refrigerators quickly spread to households in the United States and many other countries.

  4. The history of refrigerants and changes driven by environmental concerns

    Early refrigerators used toxic and flammable refrigerants such as ammonia and sulfur dioxide, which carried accident risks, but in the 1930s, the relatively safe refrigerant Freon (CFC) was developed and came into widespread use. It was later discovered that Freon destroyed the ozone layer, and following the 1987 Montreal Protocol, it was gradually replaced worldwide by refrigerants less harmful to the ozone layer.

  5. Corporate competition surrounding household refrigerators

    Various appliance makers, including General Electric with its "Monitor-Top" refrigerator, competed on design and price, rapidly advancing refrigerator technology and convenience features.

  6. The modern refrigerator and energy-efficiency technology

    Today's refrigerators, thanks to major advances in insulation technology and compressor performance, maintain stable cooling performance using far less electricity than before, and energy-efficiency rating labeling systems now let consumers compare power efficiency.

From ice delivery to automatic cooling

Just about a hundred years ago, keeping food cold required having ice delivered on a regular basis. This page explores the process by which mechanical refrigeration technology entered the home, along with the refrigerant safety and environmental issues encountered along the way.

Also check out the history of the vaccine's invention

Refrigeration technology goes beyond food storage β€” it is also a core foundation of today's cold chain, which safely transports and stores vaccines. Take a look at our guide to the history of the vaccine's invention as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did household refrigerators become widely available?

Starting in the 1920s, companies such as General Electric released household electric refrigerators, and prices gradually fell; over the course of the 1930s, they quickly spread to households in the United States and many other countries.

Why did Freon refrigerant become a problem?

Freon (CFC), developed in the 1930s as a relatively safe alternative refrigerant, was later found to be a substance that destroys the ozone layer in the atmosphere. As a result, following the 1987 Montreal Protocol, it was gradually replaced worldwide by refrigerants less harmful to the ozone layer.