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Ice Houses
Before the invention of the refrigerator, ice houses were used to provide cold storage for most of the year. Located near fresh water or snow or ice lakes during winter, they were once very common. -
The start of the artificial refrigeration
The history of artificial refrigeration began when the Scottish professor William Cullen designed a small refrigeration machine. Cullen used a pump to create a partial vacuum over a container of diethyl ether, which was then boiled, absorbing heat from the surrounding air. The experiment even created a small amount of ice, but it had no practical application at the time. -
Domestic Refrigerators
Refrigerators for the home were invented by Fred W. Lobo of Fort Wayne, Indiana; with models consisting of a unit that was mounted on top of an ice box. -
First Widely Used Refrigerator
The first widely used refrigerator was the General Electric "Monitor-Top", introduced in 1927, named for its resemblance to the turret on the 1860s battleship USS Monitor. The compressor assembly, which emitted a lot of heat, was placed on top of the apparatus, surrounded by a decorative ring. -
"Chic" refrigerators
They were aimed at the middle classes or "slave-free houses." Marketed to housewives. It was supposed to be a source of pride for the woman of the house. It was designed to match the walls and cabinets in the kitchen. The models came in colors such as pink and blue. -
Refrigerators with freezer
Simple with smooth curves in design. In the 1960s, most refrigerators began to include a freezer.
Refrigerators began to have a decorative role and became a complement to the design of kitchens. The designs and colors of the refrigerators stood out more than their ability to preserve food. A clear example of this are the Kelvinator designs that, in addition to providing personality, were equipped with anti-freeze cooling systems. -
Longer lasting refrigerators
The purpose of the refrigerator has not changed: preserve the freshness of food, but now the savings benefits are also important. The refrigerator becomes an indispensable household appliance in the home, energy savings and functionalities such as the liquid dispenser are added, with the aim of facilitating household tasks. -
Introduction of stainless steel
The 1990s saw the introduction of stainless steel for refrigerator facades. It was sleek and modern, with a double door and a bottom freezer. The fridges were glamorous and contemporary, the old white fridges gradually fell out of use throughout the decade. -
Smart Refrigerators
Today we have smart refrigerators that have a screen, applications etc. Some models have an interior camera to make a capture of what is inside, which is sent to your cell phone so that you can consult it remotely.
