A Short History Lesson on Refrigeration Systems

Refrigeration equipment, like fridges or freezers, aids in the preservation and freshness of our foods. Bartlett specialises in refrigeration Cornwall, helping you to save money, time and effort.

Today, it is easy for households and commercial establishments to preserve food and other goods but how did refrigeration products come about?


History of Refrigeration

  • The idea of refrigeration started by using ice, caves, cellars and more.
  • Ancient people like the Greeks or Romans used to cool their foods with ice that came from the mountains.
  • The rich used snow cellars or pits buried in the ground (protected with wood and straw) for storing ice.
  • Another way to preserve meat and fish was to salt it.
  • The origin of refrigeration can be traced back to the Chinese who used to cut ice blocks in 10,000 B.C.
  • The Ancient Egyptians used to expose jars filled with boiled water, placing them on roofs at night, when the cold temperature would eventually produce ice.
  • In 1748, William Cullen demonstrated the renowned artificial refrigeration at the University of Glasgow, using ethyl ether (boiled in a partial vacuum). After the experimentation, he didn’t use the results for any particular application.
  • During the Industrial Revolution (1760-1850), the first practical refrigerator was invented. It was built by Jacob Perkins and through the help of Dr John Goorie’s ice machine they were able to produce “cool air”.
  • In 1805 an American inventor, Oliver Evans, used vapour instead of liquid for his refrigeration machine. He did not complete the process.
  • In the 1840s, refrigerators were introduced to the public. Refrigerated vehicles were now used to transport dairy products.
  • 1844 saw John Gorrie invent a refrigeration machine that was similar to that of Oliver Evans.
  • Alexander C. Twinning is believed to be the person who introduced commercial refrigeration in 1856.
  • Then an Australian, James Harrison, inspected the Twinning and Gorrie invention. Harrison invested his time and efforts into making a vapour-compression refrigeration unit that was afterwards introduced to the brewing and meat-packing industries.
  • In 1859, a more complex invention was produced by Ferdinand Carré of France. This soon became the most common and widely used cooling technique. His machine used ammonia, which later became a disadvantage because it was thought to be toxic. Refrigeration engineers researched into a more appropriate refrigerant substitution during the 1920s.
  • By the 1860s, we had begun transporting refrigerated seafood products.
  • 1911 was the real beginning, wherein refrigerators were recognised as a household appliance.
  • After World War II, refrigerators became essential to every household.

Refrigeration has evolved in many different ways but its sole purpose has never changed and will never change.