A refrigerator today is an integral attribute of any kitchen, but not enough who thinks that its history goes back more than one century. From primitive glaciers of ancient civilizations to smart models with No Frost i AI control the path of this device reflects the evolution of human needs for food preservation. If you are wondering when the first refrigerator was made, the answer depends on what exactly is considered a “refrigerator”: natural methods of cooling or mechanical devices.
In this article we will analyze the key milestones in the development of refrigeration technology, from ancient times to modern innovations. You will find out who was at the origins of the invention, how the principles of operation changed and why the refrigerator became one of the most important household appliances in history. And also - why the first mechanical refrigerators were dangerous to life and how this changed for the better. Archaeological finds confirm that even why the first mechanical refrigerators were life-threatening and how this has changed for the better.
Ancient predecessors: how people refrigerated food before the invention of the refrigerator
Long before the advent of electricity, humanity was already looking for ways to keep food fresh. Archaeological finds confirm that 3000 BC in Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt they used special pits lined with straw or clay, where ice and snow were placed in winter. In the summer, such ice melted slowly, allowing food to be stored for several days. glaciers - special pits lined with straw or clay, where ice and snow were placed in winter. In summer, such ice melted slowly, allowing food to be stored for several days.
In Ancient Rome and Persia, technology began to improve:
- 🏛️ Yakhchal — underground ice storage facilities in Persia (about 400 BC), where ice was preserved all year round thanks to thick clay walls and a wind cooling system.
- ❄️ In Rome, ice was delivered from the mountains in special isolated carts and stored in almost -cellars lined with straw.
- 🍷 Wine cellars of the Middle Ages are the first examples of the use of natural ventilation to maintain low temperatures.
It is interesting that in XVII century In Russia, ice was harvested in winter from rivers and lakes, and then sold in the summer as a luxury product. It was even delivered to palace kitchens for making ice cream - a delicacy that only aristocrats could then afford.
First steps towards mechanical cooling: discoveries of the 18th–19th centuries
Scientific revolution XVIII century laid the foundation for creating artificial cold. B 1748 a Scottish chemist William Cullen was the first to demonstrate the cooling of water by evaporating it in a vacuum, but his invention had no practical application. The real breakthrough occurred only a few decades later:
- ⚗️ 1805 - American inventor Oliver Evans developed a design for a machine for making ice, but never built it her.
- ❄️ 1834 — Jacob Perkins (USA) received a patent for the first vapor compression refrigeration machine, working on ether. This became the prototype of modern systems.
- 🔧 1851 — John Gorrie (also from the USA) created a working example of an ice making machine and even founded a company to sell it. However, the business failed due to high costs.
The main problem of early refrigeration machines was refrigerant toxicity: ether, ammonia and sulfur dioxide were explosive and poisonous. For example, in 1860s in Australia, an ammonia leak at a meat processing plant killed several workers - this forced engineers to look for safer solutions.
⚠️ Attention: If you If you are restoring an antique refrigerator (up to 1930s), never try to start it without checking for refrigerant leaks. Many of them used sulfur dioxide or methyl chloridewhich when inhaled cause pulmonary edema.
The birth of the household refrigerator: 1910–1930
The beginning XX century became a turning point: refrigerators ceased to be industrial equipment and began to penetrate into homes. The first household models appeared in 1913 - these were bulky cabinets with an overhead compressor that ran on toxic gases. Their cost was prohibitive: for example, a model Domelre (1916) cost $900 - this is the equivalent $25 000 in modern money!
Key milestones of this period:
- 🏆 1918 — the company Kelvinator released the first serial household refrigerator with automatic control. Its sales amounted to only 67 pieces in the first year.
- 🔌 1923 - Swedish engineers Balz von Platen i Karl Munters invented absorption refrigeratorthat ran on propane. It was silent, but explosive.
- 🚪 1927 — General Electric presented model Monitor-Top with a hermetic compressor. This was the first relatively safe and compact design.
| Year | Model/Invention | Refrigerant | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1913 | Domelre | Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) | The first mass-produced household refrigerator. Weight - 90 kg, price - $900 |
| 1918 | Kelvinator | Ammonia (NH₃) | Automatic control, sales - 67 pcs./year |
| 1923 | Absorption refrigerator | Propane (C₃H₈) | Silent, but explosive. Used in camping until the 1950s |
| 1927 | GE Monitor-Top | Sulfur dioxide | Hermetic compressor, sales - 50,000 pcs. over 2 years |
K 1930s refrigerators became more affordable, but still remained a luxury. For example, in the USSR, the first household models (KhTZ-120) appeared only in 1939 and cost half the average salary worker.
Safety revolution: invention of freon and mass production
The main breakthrough occurred in 1928when the American the company DuPont synthesised Freon (CFC-12) a non-toxic and non-flammable refrigerant. This invention belonged to Thomas Midgley Jr.who later became known as “the man who killed the ozone layer” due to the destructive effects of freon on the atmosphere. However, in 1930s freon was considered a miracle of technology:
- 🌍 1931 — Frigidaire released the first refrigerator using freon. It was advertised as “absolutely safe for the home.”
- 📈 K 1937 year was sold in the USA already 1.5 million refrigerators —mostly on freon.
- ⚙️ The first two-chamber models with a freezer compartment appeared (for example, GE Monitor-Top Deluxe).
In the USSR, mass production of refrigerators began only after war. In 1951 the legendary "ZIS-Moskvich" was released - the first Soviet refrigerator with a compressor. Its power was only 80 W, but it ran on freon-12 and was safer than Western analogues of that time.
⚠️ Attention: If your refrigerator was manufactured before 1995, it most likely contains freonR-12orR-22, which are prohibited by the Montreal Protocol. When disposing of such a device, be sure to hand it over to a specialized point - dismantling the compressor yourself is dangerous!
The era of innovation: from automatic defrosting to smart refrigerators
The second half XX century became a time of technological breakthroughs. Refrigerators turned from simple “ice makers” into complex electronically controlled devices. Here are the key stages:
- ⏳ 1950s - the emergence of systems automatic defrosting (first model). — Frigidaire Frost-Proof, 1955) There was no longer any need to manually chip the ice!
- 🌬️ 1960s - invention of the system No Frost (company General Electric). It prevented the formation of frost due to air circulation.
- 📱 1990s - the first refrigerators with electronic displays and temperature sensors (for example, LG GR-B207SLQ).
- 🤖 2010s - appearance smart refrigerators with Wi-Fi, cameras inside and voice control (Samsung Family Hub).
Modern models are equipped with:
- 🔋 Inverter compressors (energy savings up to 30%).
- 🧊 Freshness zones with adjustable humidity for fruits and herbs.
- 📲 Mobile applications for remote temperature control.
How does the No Frost system work?
In refrigerators with No Frost a built-in fan evenly distributes cold air throughout the chamber, preventing the formation of frost. Humidity condenses on a special fan. evaporator, and then discharged into the pan, where it evaporates. Such models require defrosting only 1-2 times a year to clean the drainage system.
Interesting fact: in 2020 the company LG introduced a refrigerator with transparent doorwhich with double knock turns into a screen for viewing recipes or TV shows. And the model Samsung Bespoke allows you to change the color of the panels to match the interior of the kitchen.
Refrigerators in the USSR and Russia: from deficit to modern brands
In the Soviet Union, refrigerators remained in short supply for a long time. The first serial models ("ZIS-Moskvich", "Saratov") were produced in limited quantities and distributed by coupons. The situation changed only in 1960s–1970s, when new factories were built:
- ❄️ 1962 —launch Minsk Refrigerator Plant (later - Atlant). model - "Minsk-1" with manual defrosting.
- 🏭 1973 —beginning of production "Biryusa" in Krasnoyarsk. These refrigerators became a symbol of Soviet life.
- 🔄 1980s —the appearance of models from automatic defrosting ("Oka-6", "Sviyaga").
After the collapse of the USSR, the Russian market was flooded with imported brands (Indesit, Beko), but domestic factories adapted. Today Atlant and Biryusa they produce models with inverter compressors and system No Frost, competing with foreign analogues.
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The future of refrigeration equipment: what awaits us in 10–20 years?
Modern refrigerators already know a lot, but engineers do not stop there. In the coming decades we can expect:
- 🌱 Eco-friendly refrigerants: complete abandonment of freons in favor of natural gases (for example, isobutane R-600a or CO₂).
- ☀️ Solar refrigerators: models for remote regions, powered by solar panels (already being tested in Africa).
- 🧬 Smart freshness sensors: analysis of the microclimate in the chamber and automatic recommendations for storing food.
- ♻️ Modular designs: refrigerators that can be “added” with new compartments as needed.
One of the most ambitious areas is magnetic cooling. Instead of a compressor and refrigerant, it uses magnetic fields to change the temperature of special alloys. and ultra-economical, but their mass production will begin no earlier than 2030s.
And while fantastic technologies are just being developed, modern models can already boast energy efficiency class A++++ functions that could only be dreamed of 20 years ago. For example, a refrigerator Samsung Family Hub can:
- Download recipes based on the contents of the camera (via the built-in camera).
- Synchronize with the calendar and remind you about the expiration dates of products.
- Play music or video directly on the door.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the history of refrigerators
1. Who invented the first electric refrigerator?
The first working household electric refrigerator was created Fred W. Wolf (USA) in 1913 under the brand Domelre. However, mass production began only in 1918 with the model Kelvinator.
2. When did refrigerators become available to Soviet citizens?
Mass production in the USSR began in 1951 with the model "ZIS-Moskvich", but refrigerators became widespread only in 1970–1980s thanks to factories Atlant i Biryusa.
3. Why were old refrigerators dangerous?
Before 1930s the situation changed. invention freon in 1928.
4. Which refrigerator is considered the most durable?
The record holder is the model Frigidaire FRS-26R4A (1950s). Some copies still work thanks to simple mechanics and a reliable compressor. Among modern brands, Liebherr i Miele are considered leaders in durability (service life - 15–20). years).
5. When did refrigerators with the No Frost system appear?
The technology No Frost was patented by the company General Electric in 1950s, but it became widespread only in 1980s–1990s. In the USSR, the first models with No Frost appeared in 1990s (for example, "Stinol-101").