When we open a modern kitchen, we see a familiar white or silver cabinet that works silently and unnoticed. It’s hard to believe, but just a little over a hundred years ago, preserving food was a daily and labor-intensive task, and refrigeration chamber was considered a luxury beyond the reach of most. The history of the creation of the first refrigerator is a journey from simple glaciers to complex chemical processes that changed civilization.
The first cooling devices did not have compressors, freon or electricity. They were complex isothermal structuresfilled with natural ice, which was delivered from rivers and lakes. It was with these bulky and heavy boxes that the era of artificial cold began, which subsequently led to the appearance of compact electrical units found in every home.
The appearance of these pioneers of technology was radically different from what we are used to. To understand what the first refrigerator looked like, you need to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when engineers were just beginning to experiment with compression systems. These devices were not just household appliances, but real engineering miracles of their time. absorption and compression systems. These devices were not just household appliances, but real engineering marvels of their time.
Design of the first electric refrigerator
The first electric refrigerator, called Domelre (Domestic Electric Refrigerator), was created by Alfred Mellows in 1913. Outwardly, it resembled a wooden sideboard or cabinet, upholstered in zinc or copper. Inside such a cabinet was located refrigerator compartment, and a massive compressor unit was mounted on top or on the side, which often required a separate room due to noise and vibration.
The body was made of wood, since metal had not yet been learned to effectively protect against corrosion and condensation in mass production. The walls were filled with cork, sawdust or asbestos to create thermal insulation. The doors were heavy and massive, equipped with simple mechanical latches, since rubber seals had not yet been used, and the tightness left much to be desired.
It is important to note that the first models did not have automatic temperature control. The user had to manually adjust the motor or add coolant. Evaporator often located at the top of the chamber, causing cold air to sink down, creating uneven cooling. This required constant monitoring of the condition of the products.
⚠️ Warning: Early models used flammable or toxic refrigerants such as sulfur dioxide or methyl chloride. The operation of such devices in modern conditions without special equipment and knowledge is strictly prohibited due to the high risk of poisoning or explosion.
Glacial era: predecessors of electricity
Before the advent of electricity, the main method of storing food was ice box (icebox). This device was a wooden box lined with metal (usually zinc or tin) on the inside. The design was two-chamber: a block of natural ice was placed in the upper compartment, and products were placed in the lower compartment.
The melt water was collected in a special tray, which had to be emptied regularly. The efficiency of such a “refrigerator” directly depended on the quality of the ice and the thermal insulation of the body. Thermal conductivity materials were high then, so the ice melted quickly, requiring daily replacement or replenishment.
- ❄️ The body was made of oak, pine or other types of wood, often with decorative carving.
- 💧 The inner chamber was necessarily tin-plated or coated with zinc for hygiene and protection from moisture.
- 🌡️ The temperature inside rarely dropped below +4...+5°C, which was not enough for deep freezing.
Despite simplicity, ice boxes existed until the mid-20th century in many regions where electrification was late. They became the prototype for the formation of the habit of storing food in a closed cabinet. Air convection The inside of such a box was natural, which ensured circulation, but did not allow low temperatures to be reached in the far corners.
How was ice delivered?
Ice harvested in winter on rivers and lakes, sawing into huge blocks. These blocks were stored in glaciers - special storage facilities with thick walls, where they were stored until the summer. Special services carried out the distribution of ice throughout the cities, delivering it directly to the doors of houses on horse-drawn carts.
Technical characteristics of early models
If we compare the first electric refrigerator with modern analogues, the difference in characteristics is colossal. Early models consumed huge amounts of electricity with low efficiency. Efficiency The compressors were low, and the control systems were primitive.
The table below compares the characteristics of the first electric models of the early 20th century and modern standards:
| Parameter | First models (1910-1920) | Modern refrigerators |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerant | Sulfur dioxide, ether, ammonia | Freon (R600a, R134a) |
| Compressor power | High, noisy open motors | Low, inverter quiet motors |
| Temperature conditions | Unstable, depended on the load | Accurate, with an accuracy of 0.1°C |
| Maintenance | Daily (cleaning, lubrication, refueling) | Once a year or less often (defrosting) |
Particular attention should be paid to refrigerants. The use of ammonia and sulfur dioxide made these devices dangerous. A gas leak could have serious consequences for the health of residents. That is why tightness of the circuit was the main requirement during assembly, although it was impossible to achieve it at the level of modern standards then.
Evolution of design and case materials
The design of refrigerators has gone from utilitarian wooden boxes to stylish interior elements. In the 1920-30s, with the advent of the brand Frigidaire and other giants, cases began to be made from sheet steel. This improved hygiene and durability, but required new methods of rust protection.
Enameling became the standard. The first enamels were imperfect and could chip and turn yellow over time. The shapes became more streamlined, the corners became rounded. Aerodynamics did not play a role then, but the aesthetics of Art Deco and Art Nouveau influenced the appearance of household appliances.
Door handles have also evolved. At first these were simple staples, then chrome levers and even built-in opening mechanisms appeared. The internal space also changed: wooden shelves were replaced with metal lattice ones, and later with glass and plastic ones, which made it easier care and cleaning.
Principles of operation of absorption systems
Along with compression refrigerators, absorption refrigerators also developed, which had no moving parts. Their work was based on the circulation of a refrigerant (ammonia) under the influence of heat. Such models were popular in places where electricity was unstable, or in hotels.
Externally, they looked the same as their compression counterparts, but worked absolutely silently. Heating was carried out with a gas burner or an electric heating element. Absorbent (usually water) absorbed ammonia vapor, after which the mixture was heated, separated, and the cycle was repeated.
- 🔥 The absence of vibration extended the service life of products that do not were subjected to shaking.
- ⏳ The service life of such refrigerators was enormous - some models worked for decades without repair.
- 📉 Low energy efficiency made them expensive to operate compared to their compressor counterparts.
The complexity of setting and sensitivity to position (absorption refrigerators must stand strictly vertically) limited them mass distribution in everyday life, but in a niche segment they are still preserved (for example, in car refrigerators).
⚠️ Attention: Absorption refrigerators are extremely sensitive to tilting. During transportation or installation, a violation of the vertical by more than 40 degrees can lead to the mixture entering the gas part of the circuit, which will require complex repairs or disposal of the device.
Safety and environmental friendliness of refrigerants
The history of refrigerators is also the history of the search for a safe refrigerant. After an era of toxic and explosive substances, freons were discovered in the 1930s. They seemed perfect: they didn’t burn, didn’t smell, and weren’t poisonous. This made it possible to remove refrigerators from basements and special niches directly into the kitchen.
However, it later turned out that freons destroy the ozone layer. This led to a new round of evolution and the search for environmentally friendly analogs. Modern refrigerators use hydrocarbons (isobutane), which are again flammable, but in microscopic doses (less than 150 grams) they are safe if designed correctly.
☑️ Checking the safety of an old refrigerator
Today, safety requirements include not only chemical inertness, but also energy efficiency. Energy consumption class has become one of the main selection criteria, which did not exist in the days of the first refrigerators, when electricity meters were just being introduced into everyday life.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
When exactly did the first home appear? refrigerator?
The first electric refrigerator for home use (Domelre) appeared in 1913. However, mass production and availability began only in the 1920s with the advent of the brand. Frigidaire.
What did the first refrigerators use?
Sulfur dioxide, methyl chloride, ammonia and even ether were used as refrigerants. These substances were effective, but extremely dangerous if leaked, which often became the cause of poisoning.
Why were the first refrigerators made of wood?
Wood was used as the main construction material because of its availability and good thermal insulation properties. Metal was then expensive, susceptible to corrosion and difficult to process for mass production of cases.
Is it possible to still use a refrigerator from the 1930s?
Theoretically, it is possible if it is working, but it is unsafe and uneconomical. Old insulation materials may contain asbestos, and worn motor windings create a fire risk. In addition, their energy consumption is 3-4 times higher than modern analogues.