Air conditioners have become an integral part of modern life, allowing us to stay comfortable in hot temperatures. But how did this amazing machine known as an air conditioner come into existence? The history of air conditioners is a fascinating one, stretching back over a century and involving some of the most influential inventors in history.
From its early beginnings as an experiment with ice and fans to the high-tech energy-efficient units we use today, air conditioning has gone through many changes over the years. In this article, we’ll explore the history of air conditioners and discover how they evolved from simple cooling devices to indispensable components of our homes and workplaces.
Who Invented the Air Conditioner?
Although crude kinds of air cooling have existed for centuries, Willis Carrier’s invention of the first operational air conditioning system significantly revolutionized how people lived. Carrier was standing on a railroad platform in Pittsburgh in 1902 when he realized he could dry air by passing it through the water to create fog, allowing him to manage the moisture and humidity of the air. We are in the air conditioning repair industry now because of this invention.
The Invention of Portable Air Conditioning Units
Although Willis Carrier is widely credited with developing the modern air conditioner, the first portable air conditioning device was built by Frederick Jones, an African-American. His idea was mostly employed in field military hospitals to keep wounded soldiers comfortable as they healed from battle-related injuries. Jones held at least 60 patents for ideas ranging from refrigeration to food distribution trucks.
The Origins of the Term “Air Conditioner”
Soon after Willis Carrier’s discovery, a mill engineer called Stuart Cramer developed a similar system that introduced moisture to the stale, hot air within textile mills. Because it conditioned the air to be moist and chilly, he dubbed his invention an “air conditioner.” This device was implemented in a number of mills and facilities to make work situations more productive and comfortable.