In terms of air conditioning, we have come a long way from those before us. In order to understand the path that led us to the advanced AC systems we have today, we have to appreciate the origins of modern cool, which started with refrigeration.
Before electricity and cooling devices became a commodity among consumers, there was no way to keep something cool, until the invention of refrigeration came along in the early 1800s. Food had a dangerously short shelf life, in which bacterial growth easily spawned. Scientists during this time discovered that the bacteria in food would rapidly flourish at temperatures below 40 degrees, prompting them to invest in the research and development of refrigeration. This enabled consumers to preserve their food, and ultimately led to the curation of air conditioning.
Keep reading to discover the air conditioning history timeline of events that has enabled us to control humidity and indoor temperatures through the modern marvel of air conditioning.
Air Conditioning History Timeline of Events
1820: The first recorded experiment in which artificial ice was successfully created.
1824: Scientist Michael Faraday achieved success in his experiments that led to the discovery of refrigeration through chemical absorption.
1834: Scientist Jacob Perkins constructed the first machine to create artificial ice, which is the basis of today’s compression systems.
1902: The first air conditioner was invented by Willis Haviland Carrier, designed to control the indoor temperature and humidity levels for a printing office. This was is where the evolution of AC’s begins!
1913: Chicago hosts the first international expo for refrigeration.
1928: Thomas Midgley Jr. discovers and implements the chemical refrigerant, “
Freon“.
1930: The White House installs air conditioning in its rooms for the first time.
1946: The first spike in demand for room-sized AC units occurs, with over 30,000 units/year in production.
1953: The sales for air conditioners skyrockets past one million units this year.
1957: Thanks to the introduction of rotary compressors, AC units are now designed to be more efficient and smaller than previous units.
1977: The introduction of heat pumps enables units to both cool and heat, providing a dual action functionality that can be used throughout the year and across seasons.
1990: Semiconductor technology enables
air conditioners to use micro-processing control systems.
1992: Alternative refrigerants (R-502 and
R-22) are introduced by the AREP, providing safer options for consumers.
1998: The sales of single unit HVAC systems exceeds 6 million units sold.
2007: The State Council outlaws the sale of any air conditioning unit that is low efficiency and begins to set regulatory temperatures for public offices and buildings each season.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many people to thank for the new air conditioning systems we have in our home today. If you are interested in learning more about the options available to you or have any questions regarding heating and cooling, then contact your friends at ACE Home Services! We are here for all of your heating and cooling needs. Let us help you make sure your home stays comfortable and cool this summer. You can always trust your place with ACE!
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