Who and when invented the first refrigerator: chronology of the invention

Today a refrigerator is an integral part of any kitchen, but few people wonder how humanity managed without it for millennia. The first attempts to keep food fresh go back to ancient times, when people used natural sources of cold: glaciers, basements and even the night sky. However, true revolution occurred only in the 19th century, when science and technology made it possible to create the first artificial cooling systems.

In this article we will trace the entire path - from primitive ice pits to compact electric refrigerators that are in every home today. You will learn who was behind the key inventions, how the first models worked and why their mass production became possible only in the 20th century. Let's also figure out why the first patent for a refrigeration unit was issued 50 years before the appearance of the household refrigerator.

Ancient cooling methods: how people managed without refrigerators

Long before the invention of electricity, humanity came up with There are many ways to keep food fresh. Archaeological finds confirm that special ones with porous walls were already used in Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt. The principle was simple: water, seeping through the clay, evaporated and slightly cooled the contents. 3000 years ago in Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt they used special clay vessels with porous walls. The principle was simple: water seeping through the clay evaporated and slightly cooled the contents.

More advanced methods appeared later:

• 🏔️ Glaciers and snow pits —in Ancient Rome and Persia, ice was prepared in winter and stored in isolated cellars lined with straw. Such “refrigerators” could preserve ice until the summer.
• 🌙 Night cooling —in the deserts of the Middle East, food was taken out into the open air at night, where the temperature dropped to +10...+15°C.
• 🏺 Marshmallows —in Ancient Greece they used special jugs (marshmallows), which were placed in running water to cool the wine.

Interestingly, in China, even in 10th century there were entire “ice warehouses” for the imperial court. Ice was brought from mountain lakes and stored in underground chambers insulated with rice straw. Such storage facilities could maintain temperatures around 0°C all year round.

⚠️ Attention: Ancient cooling methods were effective only in certain climatic conditions. For example, glaciers are useless in hot regions without winters, and night cooling only works when there is a large difference between day and night temperatures.

The first scientific discoveries: from theory to practice

The scientific basis for creating refrigerators has been laid for centuries. B 1748 a Scottish chemist William Cullen was the first to demonstrate artificial cooling by evaporating ether in a vacuum. His experience was a breakthrough: the temperature in the vessel dropped below 0°C! However, this discovery did not find practical application then.

The American inventor took the decisive step Oliver Evans in 1805. He developed a project compression refrigeration machinethat worked on ether. Unfortunately, Evans never built a working prototype - his ideas were ahead of their time.

A practical breakthrough occurred in 1834when an American engineer Jacob Perkins received a patent for the first working refrigeration machine. His unit used ether in a closed cycle: the compressor compressed the gas, it condensed into liquid, and absorbed heat during evaporation. However, the machine was bulky, dangerous (ether was highly flammable) and expensive.

1876: the birth of the modern refrigerator

This year is considered official date of invention of the refrigerator. A German engineer developed the first one that ran on ammonia. His system had three key advantages: Carl von Linde developed the first practical refrigeration machine, which ran on ammonia. His system had three key advantages:

1. Safety - ammonia is less explosive than ether.
2. Efficiency —the efficiency reached 30%.
3. Scalability —the machine could be adapted for different needs.

The first Linde refrigerators were used in breweries (for example, for the company Spaten-Franziskaner-Bräu in Munich) and meat processing plants. They made it possible to transport perishable goods over long distances, which revolutionized trade.

⚠️ Attention: Early ammonia refrigerators required constant maintenance. Ammonia leakage could lead to poisoning, so they were installed only in industrial areas and not in residential buildings.

Interesting fact: in 1879 Linde founded the company Linde AGwhich is still one of the world leaders in production refrigeration equipment. It was his developments that formed the basis of all modern compression refrigerators in 1879. Why were the first refrigerators dangerous? Ammonia and ether used in early models were toxic and explosive. For example, in 1929, a refrigeration plant at a factory in Cleveland (USA) exploded, resulting in the death of 128 people. This event accelerated the search for safe refrigerants such as freon. compression refrigerators.

Why were the first refrigerators dangerous?

The ammonia and ether used in early models were toxic and explosive. For example, in 1929, a refrigeration plant at a factory in Cleveland (USA) exploded, resulting in the death of 128 people. This event accelerated the search for safe refrigerants such as freon.

From industrial giants to household models

Until the beginning of the 20th century, refrigerators remained exclusively industrial equipment. The situation changed in 1913when the American company Fred W. Wolf released the first domestic refrigerator called Domelre (from English DOmestic ELectric REfrigerator). It was a cabinet 1.5 meters high with a compressor on top and an ice chamber at the bottom.

However, the real boom occurred in 1920swhen safe refrigerants were invented — freons. The 1927 company General Electric released a model Monitor-Topwhich became the first mass-produced refrigerator. Its features:

• 🔌 Powered by electricity (previously gas engines were used).
• 🧊 Had an ice compartment (predecessor of the freezer).
• 💰 Cost about $520 (equivalent to $8,000 in 2026).

K 1930s refrigerators have become a symbol well-being. In the USA they were advertised as “a necessary thing for the modern home cook.” For example, in the magazine Good Housekeeping for 1936 they wrote: "The refrigerator saves your time and preserves the taste of food better than any icebox".

Wooden body with metal facing|Compressor on top ("monitor" design)|Manual defrosting 1-2 times a week|Weight more than 100 kg-->

Evolution of design: from bulky cabinets to compact models

Early refrigerators were real giants: they occupied half the kitchen, weighed like a small car and required regular defrosting. Everything changed after the Second World War, when the race began for compactness and convenience. data-i="175">1939.

Key design milestones:

• 🟨 1939 — General Electric released the first refrigerator with built-in freezer (model GD-9F).
• 🟥 1947 —models appeared with automatic defrosting (system Frost-Free from Frigidaire).
• 🟢 1955 —refrigerators with plastic shelves and magnetic door seals debuted.

In 1960s designers began to experiment with colors: in addition to traditional white, pastel shades (blue, pink, yellow) appeared. And in 1970s refrigerators became part of kitchen units - they were built into furniture, disguising them as cabinets.

Modern models bear little resemblance to their ancestors. For example, the refrigerator Samsung Family Hub (2016) is equipped with a touch screen and cameras inside. cameras and the function of ordering products online. And the model LG InstaView has a transparent door that becomes matte when knocked twice.

Soviet refrigerators: domestic history

In the USSR, the first refrigerators appeared only in 1937 —these were industrial units for canteens and shops. The household refrigerator "Kharkov-1" was released in 1939, but its production was interrupted by the war. Mass production began only in 1951 with the model "Minsk-1".

The most famous Soviet refrigerators:

Soviet refrigerators were famous for their reliability. For example, Biryusa they could work for 20-30 years without major repairs. However, they were inferior to their Western counterparts in energy efficiency and design. Thus, the model consumed 1.2 kWh per day - 2 times more than. European refrigerators of the same class. Oka-6 consumed 1.2 kWh per day - 2 times more than European refrigerators of the same class.

⚠️ Attention: If you still have a Soviet refrigerator older than 1990, most likely it runs on refrigerant R-12 (freon-12), which destroys ozone layer. According to the Montreal Protocol, such a refrigerant is prohibited for use. Replacing with a modern one (R-134a or R-600a) is possible, but requires modification of the system.

Interesting facts about the first refrigerators

The history of refrigerators is full of curiosities and little-known details. Here are some of them:

• ❄️ In 1914 the world's first one opened air-conditioned restaurant - it was cooled using refrigeration machines.
• 🚢 The first reefer ships appeared in 1876 —they transported meat from Argentina to Europe. Before that, fresh meat could be stored in the hold for no more than that. 2 weeks.
• 🎬 The film "Titanic" (1997) shows a refrigerator in a first class cabin - in fact, the ship had only glaciers, since electric refrigerators had not yet been used on ships.
• 💡 In 1930s they were sold in the USA radio refrigerators -they had a built-in radio receiver.

Did you know that the first one portable refrigerator was invented in 1953 for the US Army? It ran on battery power and could cool food down to +4°C in field conditions. Today, such devices are used by tourists and truck drivers.

Another interesting fact: in 1960s Japan they produced refrigerators with built-in TV (model Toshiba TV Fridge). True, the screen was black and white and showed only one channel.

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions

Who is considered the inventor of the first refrigerator?

Officially, the inventor the first practical refrigeration machine is recognized as a German engineer Carl von Linde (1876), however, his developments were based on earlier discoveries, for example, the project Oliver Evans (1805). year) and patent Jacob Perkins (1834).

When did refrigerators become available to ordinary people?

Mass production of household refrigerators began in 1920s in the USA. In the USSR, they went on sale only in 1950s, and at first only wealthy families could afford them. For example, a refrigerator Minsk-1 (1951) cost 2,500 rubles - this was the six-month salary of an average worker.

Which refrigerants used in the first refrigerators?

Early models used:

• Ether (explosive, used until the 1870s).
• Ammonia (toxic, but effective; used before 1920s).
• Sulfur dioxide (highly toxic, banned in the 1930s).
• Freon-12 (R-12) (from the 1930s to the 1990s, prohibited due to harm to the ozone layer).

Now they use R-134a (less harmful) and R-600a (isobutane, environmentally friendly).

Why were the first refrigerators so large?

The dimensions of the early models were explained by three factors:

1. Insulation technologies —the walls were made thick (10-15 cm) to reduce heat loss.
2. Compressors —the first the units were bulky and required a lot of space.
3. Fashion for "monumentality" —in the 1920s and 30s, equipment had to look solid.

For comparison: refrigerator General Electric Monitor-Top (1927) weighed 140 kg, and a modern model of the same volume weighs about 60 kg.

When did refrigerators with freezers appear?

The first models with separate freezer were released in 1939 company General Electric (series GD). However, they were expensive and imperfect: the temperature in the freezer rarely dropped below -6°C. Full-fledged two-chamber refrigerators with a temperature of -18°C appeared only in 1950s.