Without the power of an operating HVAC system, our days would be dreary in the hot summer as we labor to complete our everyday tasks. So, whether you enjoy working in a cool office all day, resting upon the cool side of your pillow, or hosting a party during the hottest month of the summer, let’s remember not to take for granted the cool air that air conditioning bestows upon us. Because if that air goes out, things can get uncomfortable fast! If you find yourself in such a situation, you should contact Hilliard-Dublin Heating & Air to have someone out to your home as quickly as possible! But in all sincerity, we can attribute our current amenities of the A/C unit to numerous great inventors throughout history who went to work. Link up with us as we travel through many milestones in the history of air conditioning.
What Are the Beginnings Of the Modern A/C?
Initial concepts of cooling our surroundings start in the history of ancient Egypt. The Egyptians would attach wet clothing outside their front entrances. As the wind passed, it cooled the damp clothes and brought cooler air into the home. China also participated in A/C history when Ding Huan created a hand-cranked rotary fan in 180 AD. In addition, the Romans built an intricate water/air supply system, the aqueduct system, that contained a sequence of underground tunnels to haul water and cool air to the homes of the wealthy. All of these contributions, while slight, are an essential step in the development of modern A/C technology.
Where Was A/C In the 1700s?
Benjamin Franklin and John Hadley conducted the first documented experiment for air conditioning theory in 1758, utilizing the evaporation technique to chill an object rapidly. As a result of their research, Franklin and Hadley successfully lowered the thermometer’s temperature to 7 degrees Fahrenheit while the external conditions sat at 64 degrees Fahrenheit. “From this experiment, one may see the possibility of freezing a man to death on a warm summer’s day,” Benjamin Franklin joyfully claimed in a letter following the trial experiment.
Where Was A/C In the 1800s?
In 1820, Michael Faraday achieved a similar test with ammonia, the first kind of volatile liquid utilized in a modern A/C unit. And in 1830, Dr. John Gorrie of Florida manipulated a small steam and ice machine to help his patients enduring tropical diseases. Dr. Gorrie’s cooling machine was patented in 1851 and assigned to hospital rooms to treat yellow fever and other ailments.
Where Was A/C In the 1900s?
In 1902, Willis Carrier assembled the first air conditioning unit that resembled present-day models, necessitated by the Sackett-Wilhelms Lithographing and Publishing Co., which desired a way to cool paper while printing. It operated cold coils to keep the surface cool. The machine dehumidified and cooled the air, strengthening the paper’s smooth composition and inks vibrancy. This device was capable of reducing humidity levels by up to 55%. And in 1915, Willis Carrier worked with the Buffalo Forge Company, which ensured the creation of the Carrier Air Conditioning Company of America. Today, this company is known as Carrier.
Air conditioning was slowly accepted and initially utilized by manufacturers and industries to safeguard their goods. The White House, as well as other essential executive buildings, commenced using air conditioning in 1930. People began comprehending that air conditioning could contribute to comfortable indoor temperatures when central air became crucial in movie theaters. Nickelodeon was a theater that gave low-cost entertainment to the public. As a way of keeping upper and middle-class customers happy while watching the film, cooling systems were installed in the theaters, paving the way for the use of home A/C units. As a result, air conditioners commenced installation in American homes in the 1950s, with about 74,000 put into operation.
Now, according to the results from the 2020 Energy Consumption survey, air conditioners are utilized by 88% of American households. Thus, today we may appreciate cold air in our homes due to those who came before us. Each breakthrough and HVAC milestone was a step closer to our modern top-notch high-efficiency A/C systems. If you have any problems with your heating or cooling system, don’t hesitate to contact us at Hilliard-Dublin Heating & Air, where our technicians are eager to assist you in keeping cool this summer. Call today at (614) 490-7520, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
