Where Are We Going And How Did We Get Here? - Ep. 1: Fridges

Welcome to a new series on the blog where we invite you to take a look at where the appliances we use every day came from, and what comes NEXT! First up: Fridges! How did they get here? And where are they going?!

The invention of the household refrigerator is an important milestone in the history of technology. Before its creation, people relied on various methods to keep their food and drinks cool, such as storing them in iceboxes or cellars. However, with the introduction of the refrigerator, people could easily keep their perishable items fresh for longer periods.

A yakhchal may be brilliant design, but I would need to brush up on my masonry skills to fix one of these ancient giant fridges.

Interestingly, the concept of cooling food and drinks dates back to ancient times. In ancient Persia, people used yakhchals, which were large underground chambers that were designed to store ice and keep food cool during the hot summers. Yakhchals used a natural cooling system that relied on windcatchers to funnel cool air into the chambers.

Ice boxes were the primary method for keeping food and drinks cool in the Western world before the invention of the modern refrigerator. These wooden cabinets with insulated walls and a compartment for storing ice became popular in the late 19th century and were widely used until the 1930s when refrigerators became more affordable and accessible. Although not as effective as modern refrigerators, ice boxes reduced spoilage and continued to be used in many households for years after refrigerators became widely available. Today, antique ice boxes are prized possessions and often used as decorative items in homes and restaurants.

The modern refrigerator, however, was invented in the 19th century by several inventors, including Oliver Evans, Jacob Perkins, and William Cullen. The first commercially successful refrigerator was created by a German engineer named Carl von Linde in 1876. This refrigerator used a mechanical cooling system that relied on compressing and expanding gases to create a cooling effect.

The early refrigerators were expensive and were only available to wealthy households. However, with advancements in technology, refrigerators became more affordable and accessible to the general public. Today, refrigerators are a ubiquitous household appliance that has revolutionized the way people store and preserve food. They have also played a significant role in reducing food waste and improving public health by enabling people to store perishable items safely.

So, what’s next?

Well, there’s the robot fridge that comes to you. Check that out HERE.

There’s the LG fridge with mood lighting. A link to that HERE.

How about the fridge that has cameras inside so you (and it) can keep track of what’s inside. Even to the point of the fridge suggesting recipe ideas! Check it out what that entails HERE.

There will be lots more to look out for in the coming decades, and if you like crazy wild features in your appliances, the future is bright!