When 1 refrigerator appeared in Russia: historical fact

The history of household comfort in our country is often is rooted in difficult periods of industrialization, and the appearance of the first refrigerator in Russia was no exception. The exact date marking the beginning of the era of domestic cold on the territory of the Soviet Union is considered 1937. It was then that the Khladmash plant, located in Moscow, produced the first batch of compression refrigerators, labeled KhTZ-120.

Up to this point, the population was forced to use glaciers, cellars or more primitive devices operating on absorption or evaporation, which could not provide a stable temperature regime. The appearance of a full-fledged unit with an electric compressor was a revolutionary step that changed the approach to storing food at home forever.

Many mistakenly believe that refrigeration equipment appeared in the USSR immediately after the war, but archival data and surviving samples of equipment confirm an earlier date for the start of production. This event laid the foundation for the creation of one of the most powerful refrigeration industries in the world, which subsequently supplied millions of apartments throughout the country with equipment.

Prerequisites for the emergence of electric cold

Before compressors started making noise in the homes of Soviet citizens, engineers had to solve the difficult task of adapting foreign technologies to domestic realities. In the early 1930s refrigeration equipment it was mainly purchased abroad or assembled in single experimental workshops. The main obstacle was not only the complexity of the design, but also the lack of a developed power supply network in many cities.

⚠️ Attention: Early prototypes often used toxic refrigerants such as ammonia or sulfur dioxide, which required special safety measures during operation and repair.

Engineers understood that reliability and ease of maintenance were necessary for mass implementation. Absorption refrigerators, which were also developed during that period, had their advantages in the form of silent operation, but consumed significantly more energy and were less productive. Therefore, the emphasis was placed specifically on compression units that require less frequent maintenance.

The development of the domestic model was carried out in parallel with the development of the production of industrial refrigeration units for the food industry. This made it possible to use already proven technical solutions in a miniature, household design. The key point was the creation of a hermetic compressor that did not require constant refilling with freon and could work for years without human intervention.

Why 1937?

This year was not chosen by chance: by this time the supply chain of electrical copper and special oil for compressors, which had previously been the bottleneck of production, had been fully established.

Model HTZ-120: the first mass sample

The abbreviation KhTZ in the name of the first model stood for “Trading Factory Refrigerator,” although initially it was positioned for home use. The volume of the chamber was 120 liters, which by the standards of that time was considered a very impressive figure. The body was made of wood, sheathed with sheet iron and covered with enamel, which made the unit heavy but quite durable.

The internal structure KhTZ-120 was simple but effective. The freezer was a small compartment at the top, where the temperature could drop to minus 6-8 degrees Celsius. The main volume was occupied by the refrigerator compartment, where the products remained fresh at a temperature of about +4...+6 degrees. This was enough to store dairy products, meat and vegetables for several days.

• 🔹 Compressor: Piston, closed type, running on freon-12.
• 🔹 Case material: Wooden frame with metal casing.
• 🔹 Control: Mechanical, using a simple thermostat.
• 🔹 Dimensions: Significantly higher than modern analogues due to thick insulation walls.

Despite its bulkiness, this model has become a real miracle of technology for the average person. It made it possible to forget about daily trips to the market for ice and perishable products. The first copies of the HTZ-120 went on sale in Moscow and Leningrad at the end of 1937, marking the beginning of the era of everyday comfort.

Evolution of technology: from KhTZ before ZiS

After the successful launch KhTZ-120 production did not stop, but continued to develop, despite the war that soon began. In the post-war years, when factories were restored, wooden buildings were replaced by all-metal structures. This made it possible to improve the hygiene and appearance of the units. The famous refrigerator "ZiS", produced at the Stalin Plant, became a symbol of the post-war revival.

Technical progress followed the path of increasing reliability and reducing energy consumption. If the first models required constant monitoring of the operation of the thermal relay, then the new models were already equipped with more advanced automation. Models with separate chambers appeared, which became a step forward in the organization of food storage.

In the 1950s, active implementation began absorption refrigerators, such as the famous “North”. They ran on a mixture of ammonia, water and hydrogen and had no moving mechanical parts, which ensured absolute silence. However, their efficiency was lower than that of their compression counterparts, and over time the market again tilted in favor of compressors.

⚠️ Attention: Old absorption refrigerators cannot be tilted more than 45 degrees during transportation, as this can lead to clogging of the tube system and the unit coming out of service. building.

Comparative characteristics of generations of refrigerators

To understand how much of a path refrigeration technology has come since the appearance of the first sample in 1937, it is enough to compare the technical characteristics of the first models with units of a later period. The difference in efficiency, capacity and ease of use is colossal.

As can be seen from the table, evolution followed the path of improving materials and refrigerants. The transition to isobutane in modern models has allowed not only to reduce the harmful impact on the environment, but also to reduce the thickness of the walls, increasing the usable volume with the same external dimensions.

It is also worth noting the change in the approach to defrosting. If the first models required manual defrosting once a week or even more often, then modern systems No Frost completely relieved the user of this responsibility, automatically removing moisture from the chamber.

The social impact of the appearance of a refrigerator in everyday life

The appearance of a refrigerator in a Soviet apartment became not just a technical event, but a social phenomenon. This device radically changed the rhythm of family life. Womenwho were traditionally responsible for the household, were able to spend less time on cooking and purchasing groceries.

The refrigerator has become the center of the kitchen, a source of pride and status. In the 1930s and 40s, the presence of such a unit in a house indicated a high level of income or special connections. A whole culture of communication was formed around “refrigeration” topics, the exchange of experience in food storage and recipes for preparations.

• 🍎 Reducing food waste: Products spoiled less often, which was critically important in conditions of shortage.
• 🥛 Safety: It became possible to safely store dairy products and meat in hot weather year.
• 🧊 New habits: The habit of making supplies for a week, rather than for one day, has formed.

In addition, the mass production of refrigerators stimulated the development of related industries: electrical engineering, chemical industry (production of refrigerants and enamels) and logistics. It was a powerful economic driver that created thousands of jobs.

Frequently asked questions about the history of refrigeration equipment

Is it true that the first refrigerators in Russia were imported?

Yes, until 1937, individual samples of foreign equipment were actually imported into the USSR, mainly from Germany and the USA. However, they were extremely rare, expensive and lacked service support. The refrigerator became widespread and accessible only after the launch of its own production at the Khladmash plant.

How dangerous is the freon used in the first models?

Freon-12 (R12), used in KhTZ-120 and subsequent models, is itself not toxic to humans under normal conditions. However, upon contact with an open flame, it can decompose to form phosgene, a chemical warfare agent. Therefore, old instructions categorically forbade soldering the system tubes without first removing the refrigerant.

Why were the first refrigerators so heavy?

The main weight was added by wooden cases, a thick layer of insulation (often made of cork or glass wool) and massive cast iron compressor components. Modern materials make it possible to make walls thin and light, while maintaining or improving thermal insulation properties.

Is it possible to still find working models from 1937?

It is almost impossible to find a working one KhTZ-120 in everyday life due to natural wear and tear and obsolescence. Such specimens are of value only for museums of the history of technology or private collectors of rarities who carry out their complete restoration.