PP Digital
We use it.
We love it. But we think very little about surviving summertime
without it.
The modern
world can barely imagine survival without refrigeration and ice. Who of us in
surviving generations can even imagine what it was like to use a cellar?
But
something we think of as so “simple” actually isn’t so. It took decades of
trial, error, and pure imagination to get machines like the refrigerator and
the ice machine to hit mass production. And especially the help of three very
common people who refused to be ordinary.
William Cullen
The basis for modern
refrigeration is thanks to a demonstration given by William Cullen in 1756 at the University of Glasgow. He operated
a medical practice and lectured on chemistry and physiology at the university.
Cullen had curiosity. And
curiosity always leads to invention, although it wasn’t until much later that
the next curious mind would take his steps in a new direction.
How did he move the gears of
invention? The Professor used a pump to cause suction over a container that
contained diethyl ether. As the ether was boiled, it absorbed heat and created
a small amount of ice.
Impressive as it was, it was not
yet useful to anyone.
Michael Faraday
Modern refrigerators took a step
forward thanks to techniques presented by Michael Faraday. Faraday was able to change ammonia vapors into a
liquid through compression. As it evaporated, the air was cooled.
But Faraday wasn’t a professor.
He barely even had earned an education. In fact, at a very early age he
apprenticed to bind and sell books. But greatness doesn’t take a back seat to
opportunity, and Faraday’s opportunity came in the disguise of a simple trade.
Surrounded by books, he spent much time reading through those he bound. He
taught himself about all kinds of subjects and discovered a love for science
and technology. Eventually, earning his own name in their pages.
Modern historians claim that
Albert Einstein kept a photo of Faraday on his wall. And it’s undisputable that
Faraday’s experiments had great influence on refrigeration, electrolysis, and
electromagnetic induction. Not so common anymore, now is he?
Carlinde
An inventor named Carlinde from
Switzerland was the first to make a machine that could actually refrigerate a
food item—a drink in fact. In 1874 he found that Faraday’s process could be
confined in order to chill his beer.
Who can say Switzerland doesn’t
love beer?
The same process was used to
later create the freezer which condenses liquid to -18 degrees.
And Then Came
Ice
In America, refrigeration became essential
for another reason. A condensing system was used by the physician named John Gorrie. He needed ice to keep the room cold where his yellow
fever patients slept. In 1851 he patented the ice machine.
Also in the 1800’s, Alexander Twining and James Harrison patented ice making
machines although is unclear if they had prior knowledge of Gorrie’s uses.
Andrew Huhl decided to make an ice machine in 1867 specifically for the
Texas beef industry. Texas beef production was growing and orders were being
shipped further than ever. In 1873, Columbus Iron Works received a contract on
that patent and produced ice-makers to sell commercially. Eventually, interest
in the company and process ended up in the hands of W.C. Bradley, Co.
Take Not for Granted
Now that you’ve followed along for a crash course in technological history,
you’ll know who to thank for the summertime iced drinks you enjoy and the
chilled fruit within easy access. In fact, refrigeration and ice is exactly
what made it possible to have
most of the foods in
your refrigerator. Take a look at stickers in the local grocery store. They’ve
likely travelled from California, Florida, and South America.
Yes. Tonight as you crack open the fridge, take a moment to thank Cullen, Faraday,
and Carlinde for giving you the precious gifts of ice. And the grit to see
their ideas through to the end.
