Who Invented Refrigerator
Fred W. Wolf invented the first domestic refrigerator in 1913. He was an architect and refrigeration engineer. His invention, the domestic refrigerator,was also known as DOMELRE.
Innovations with DOMELRE
DOMELRE, known as the Domestic Electric Refrigerator, though not so successful, had many innovative features later included in other refrigerators. Innovative features of the first domestic refrigerator include the following –
- Used ice cubes freezing tray, which is still used.
- As compared to the on-site installed refrigerators, these were inexpensive.
- It was the first refrigerator to use an air-cooled condenser.
- Automatic temperature and system control.
- Different from predecessors, as these come ready to install package.
Evolution of Refrigerators
In ancient times people used ice houses to store ice. Then in the 1740s, William Cullen invented the small artificial refrigerator. He demonstrated the basic principle of refrigeration: rapid heating of liquid to its gaseous form results in cooling.
Refrigeration using natural ice
Thomas Moore patented a refrigerator, which was made to store and preserve dairy products while traveling. However, this was not until 1803 as the cities grew, more people moved to cities. Subsequently, more people demanded fresh food, leading to a dramatic rise in the demand for refrigeration in the 1830s.
Jacob Perkins developed and designed the first vapor-compression refrigerator in 1834. Later, this refrigerator became the basis for our modern refrigerator. Unfortunately, although it was a great invention, it didn’t perform well commercially.
Iceboxes were invented in the 1840s by carpenters. The motive behind inventing ice boxes was to store ice to keep the food cold. Carpenters designed these wooden ice boxes with tin coating from inside to insulate it, along with which they also provide a pan for collecting meltwater.
Using natural ice for refrigeration caused pollution and health hazards. To eradicate problems posed by natural ice, mechanically produced ice was then used for refrigeration.
Beginning of Modern Refrigeration
Liquifying gas soon became a part of modern refrigeration after Carl Von Linde, a German engineer, patented it in 1876. Afterward, he invented the first efficiently working compressed ammonia refrigerator. Refrigerators were then rapidly adopted for industrial applications and completely replace ice for cooling food items.
1913 led to the invention of the first electric refrigerator, which Fred W. Wolf invented.
Alfred Mellowes invented the refrigerator, which contained a compressor at the bottom. These were known as self-contained refrigerators. Later this refrigerator became the basis for the refrigerator of mass producer Frigidaire Company. Additionally, fully automatic refrigerators were also invented at that time.
General electric produced about a million units of ‘monitor top’ refrigerators. These used sulfur dioxide and methyl formate as refrigerants. The unique feature of this refrigerator is that it had heat-releasing compressors at the top.
In 1922 AB Arctic mass-produced the absorption refrigeration created by Baltzar von Platen and Carl Munters. Afterward, Albert Einstein and Leó Szilárd filed for a patent of “Einstein Refrigerator” in 1930. This refrigerator worked on constant pressure and used only a heat source. However, later in the 1930s, the vapor compression systems remained harmful and caused many accidents, leading to the invention of Freon, which changed the refrigerator market.
The arrival of Modern Refrigerators
Modern Refrigerators with bottom-cooling were introduced in the 1940s, followed by their mass production in 1945. These were safe to use and kept food cold.
In the 1950s, the focus was primarily on the aesthetics of refrigerators. The 1970s shifted the focus to more energy-efficient refrigerators. It was discovered that Freon is causing ozone depletion.
Refrigerators were wholly revolutionized in the 1990s and 2000s. Rather than just making them energy-efficient, these were now connected to Wi-Fi and built with the tracking system.
Impact of Refrigerators
Although environment-friendly refrigerants are now introduced and used on a broad scale, refrigerants have caused massive harm to the environment over the years.
Refrigerators have made it easy to keep food fresh for a longer time. Preserving food has helped people consume fresh and safe food. Along with the convenience, refrigerators have also made a variety of food accessible. Refrigerators have saved us from running to groceries when required, as we can store them safely for a longer duration. Refrigerators have changed the lifestyle of people and their eating habits significantly. With the reliability and convenience that refrigerators offer, these have a promising future ahead.