It’s been really hot recently! Temperatures have topped well over 90 degrees. Can you imagine how unpleasant it would be to not have an air conditioner in your home during the summer? Chores, reading a book, or even taking a nap would be excruciating on a daily basis without cool air. Have you ever wondered, “How did the air-conditioner start?” When cavemen were cold, they would rub sticks together so as to spark a fire. However, attempting to cool down on a scorching summer day? That’s something entirely different! So come learn about the birth of today’s A/C at Eastland Heating and Cooling as we explore some important historical moments in A/C history and examine its development.
How Did the Cool Air Concept Start?
The notion of chilly air cannot be credited to a single individual or society. Humans have suffered through the summer heat since the beginning. However, there are a few notable times in history that must be mentioned. And we must give credit where credit is due!
- The Ancient Egyptians recognized the advantages of evaporation. They draped wet cloths or laundry over their open doors in order to create a cooling effect through a cool wind.
- China also can be credited with advancements toward the modern A/C. A man named Ding Huan is known for creating a hand-cranked rotary fan in 180 AD.
- The Romans were quite clever in their inventions! They constructed a sophisticated subterranean infrastructure (the aqueduct system) that funneled air and water beneath the home floors of the rich.
- In 1758, Benjamin Franklin and John Hadley studied the use of evaporative cooling. They discovered that by evaporating certain liquids on the surface of water, they could freeze an item while keeping the surrounding temperature constant.
- In 1820, Michael Faraday investigated and experimented with ammonia for the first time. This was the first documented use of a volatile liquid in a medical experiment.
- Dr. John Gorrie was an American doctor who developed the first cooling machine in 1830. It wasn’t patented until 1851, and it was only utilized by hospitals to assist with the therapy of tropical illnesses.
Whom Can We Credit the Invention Of the A/C System To?
Willis Haviland Carrier was a skilled engineer who studied the laws of humidity. There was a printing company based out of New York that needed to keep paper and ink from degrading in the humidity of the room, so Carrier came up with the notion of mechanical refrigeration. He built his invention on top of the previous discoveries of others and blended it with his own ingenuity; his invention was a resounding success. His invention used air to go through coils filled with cold water, lowering the air temperature and removing moisture from it. As a result, the humidity in the room was better controlled. Carrier’s invention signaled a turning point in the development of A/C history. In 1933, Carrier Air Conditioning Company of America was established in the United States. Today, this HVAC business is famously known as Carrier.
How Far Have A/C’s Come Today?
Despite the fact that modern air conditioners have evolved considerably, they still employ Carrier’s original ideas. His work laid the fundamental foundation for every subsequent A/C unit design. Fast forward to today, homeowners can select from a vast range of air conditioners. Air conditioners are now more energy-efficient, use vapor compression, can run tests, contain electronic sensors, and work in conjunction with smart thermostats to maximize energy efficiency.
88 percent of homes in America now have air conditioning systems. However, this wasn’t always the case. As when they were first popularized in the mid-1900s, they were considered a luxury and not a necessity. Oh, how times have changed! At Eastland Heating & Cooling, your safety is our number one concern! We are prepared to face whatever the summer heat sends our way if anything goes wrong with your A/C this season! So don’t hesitate to reach out. You can call us at (614) 861-5203, or schedule an appointment now by clicking here!
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