FOT 1A Cedric B.

Willis Carrier is born

Nov 26, 1876

Willis Carrier is born. Source

President James Garfield is Dying

Jan 1, 1881

Naval engineers create a device to lower the temperature of the dying President's room by 20°F, but it uses 500,000 pounds of ice in two months. Source

First Commercial Power Plant Opens

Sep 4, 1882

Thomas Edison opens his Pearl Street electricity generating station in lower Manhattan, allowing residential and commercial buildings to have an inexpensive source of electricity for the first time. Source

First Successful Air-Conditioning System Invented

Jul 17, 1902

Willis Carrier invented the first successful air-conditioning sytem while working for Buffalo Forge heating company when he solved a Brooklyn printing company's humidity problem. Source

Carrier Patents his Invention

Jan 1, 1906

Carrier patents his "Apparatus for Treating Air." Source

Stuart Cramer coins the term "air conditioner"

May 17, 1906

Stuart Cramer coined the term "air conditioner" during the American Cotton Manufacturers Association's annual conference in Asheville's Kenilworth Inn that year. Source

First Air Conditioner is Installed in a House

Jan 1, 1914

Carrier installs an air conditioner into a mansion in Minneapolis. Source

The House Becomes Air Conditioned

Jan 1, 1928

The Chamber of the House of Representatives becomes air conditioned Source

The Senate Becomes Air Conditioned

Jan 1, 1929

The Senate becomes air conditioned. Source

The White House bevomes air conditioned

Jan 1, 1930

The White House becomes air conditioned. Source

First Car With Air Conditioner Option

Jan 1, 1940

The Packard is the first car to have "factory air" as an option. Source

Willis Carrier Dies

Oct 7, 1950

Willis Carrier dies. [Source](<a href='http://www.madehow.com/inventorbios/71/Willis-Carrier.html)

Units Sold Exceeds One Million

Jan 1, 1953

Room air conditioner sales exceed 1,000,000 Source

AHRI is Formed

Oct 2, 1953

The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute is formed. Source

Rotary Compressor is Introduced

Jan 1, 1957

The first rotary compressor allows AC units to be smaller, weigh less, quieter, and more efficient. Source

Space Suits Use Cooling System

Jul 20, 1969

Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walk on the moon using space suits with life support and cooling systems. Source

Energy Efficiency is Enforced

Jan 1, 1987

The National Appliance Energy Conservation Act mandates minimum energy efficiency requirements for various appliances, including air conditioners. Source

CFC Production Ends in the US

Dec 31, 1995

Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), an ozone depleting substance and a refrigerant, is no longer made in the United States. Source

AHRI 50th Anniversary

Jan 1, 2003

The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute celebrates 50 years of industry excellence Source