The first refrigerator was invented in 1805 by Oliver Evans, but it wasn’t until the early 1900s that they became widely available.
Before refrigerators many people had cabinets called “iceboxes” that held big blocks of slowly melting ice to keep food cold. Ice was delivered to homes by horse drawn wagons, and eventually with delivery trucks. Ice blocks were often cut from ponds in the winter, and stored in large buildings under layers of hay to last through the summer and fall.
The first “frost-free” refrigerator was introduced in 1954 by Frigidaire. Before that, all the food had to be removed every few weeks and the refrigerator turned off for an hour or two to melt ice that formed on the freezer section’s inner walls.
The word “refrigerator” comes from the Latin word “refrigero,” which means “I cool again.”
The first refrigerator to be mass-produced was the General Electric “Monitor-Top” in 1927.
The world’s largest refrigerator is located in a warehouse in California and is over 7 stories tall.
The first refrigerators used toxic gases like ammonia and sulfur dioxide as refrigerants.
Refrigerators are also used to store non-food items, such as medicines and flowers.
Some refrigerators have a “holiday mode” that can save energy when you’re away from home.
The world’s first “smart” refrigerator was introduced in 2000 by LG Electronics and had a built-in internet connection.
In the 1930s, refrigerators were often used to store beer during Prohibition.
The average lifespan of a refrigerator is about 14 years.
The world’s first refrigerator train car was built in 1867 to transport meat and other perishable items long distances.
Some refrigerators have a “chill zone” drawer that can keep food at a slightly lower temperature than the rest of the fridge.
The first refrigerators were often coated in porcelain enamel to make them easier to clean.
Some modern refrigerators have built-in touch screens that can display recipes, calendars, and even play music.
The first refrigerators to have built-in freezers were introduced in the 1940s.
In the 1930s, the Kelvinator company introduced a refrigerator that had a built-in radio.
Some refrigerators have a “door-in-door” design that allows you to access frequently used items without opening the entire fridge.
The first refrigerators were often powered by kerosene, gas, or even electricity generated by hand-cranked generators.
Most refrigerators use a compressor to squeeze then release gas through a narrow tube called a Venturi. As the gas escapes on the far side of the Venturi it expands. The heat it carries is spread out, which creates coolness.
Another way to move the gas through the Venturi is with heat. So, with this system, called ‘absorption cycle’ you need heat to create cold. Many recreational vehicles use absorption cycle refrigerators because they can be powered for days or weeks by propane rather than just hours before draining 12-volt batteries. Since absorption-cycle refrigerators don’t have a compressor, they can be very quiet.
Some refrigerators have a “soft freeze” function that keeps food at a slightly warmer temperature than a normal freezer.
The first commercially successful refrigerator was the Domelre, invented in France in the 1860s.
Some refrigerators have a “quick cool” function that can rapidly cool down food and drinks.
In the early 1900s, some refrigerators had built-in ice cream makers.
Some refrigerators have a “smart diagnosis” function that can help diagnose problems and provide troubleshooting tips.
The first refrigerators to use Freon as a refrigerant were introduced in the 1920s. Freon is a gas that destroys ozone in the Earth’s upper atmosphere. Enough Freon was used to make refrigerators and air conditioners that scientists were afraid that the earth’s weather would shift.
