It’s the hottest month of the summer, and temperatures have really spiked! What would life even be like without a functioning air conditioning system? Daily activities like household chores, reading, or even taking a nap would all be super uncomfortable without a cool house. So have you ever wondered how the concept of the air conditioning system even started? Who decided one day that a machine needed to be created to produce cold air? While components of the air conditioner are credited to their coordinating inventors, the A/C system was a concept pieced together over a span of time. Join your Fairfield-Hamilton Heating & Cooling service professionals as we walk through some historical moments in A/C history and see how those discoveries led us to the modern A/C.
How Did the Cool Air Concept Originate?
Humans have endured the summer heat since the beginning of time. Through the centuries, many scientists and inventors have come up with innovative ways to provide relief from the summer heat. Therefore, we believe that credit should be given where it is due:
- Egypt: The Egyptians were very clever and understood the advantages of evaporation. By draping wet cloths in front of their open doorways, they were able to create a cooling effect which provided them with some relief from the summer heat.
- China: China was not to be left behind in the advancement of cool air. In 180 AD, a man by the name of Ding Huan created a hand-cranked rotary fan.
- Rome: The Romans contributed to the progression of cool air by way of the aqueduct system through a series of subterranean tunnels that funneled cool air and water beneath the floors of the wealthy and kept their homes cool.
- 1758: In the year 1758, Benjamin Franklin and his colleague, John Hadley, experimented with evaporative cooling. It was found that by evaporating constant liquids on the surface of water, items could be frozen simultaneously while keeping the object’s ambient temperature at the original temperature.
- 1820: This was the year that Michael Faraday worked with ammonia. His studies were the first documented use of a volatile liquid for medical research.
- 1830: An American physician named Dr. John Gorrie created the first cooling machine using ice and steam. This invention happened in 1830, but it wasn’t patented until 1851.
To Whom Can We Credit the Invention Of the Air Conditioning Unit To?
Willis Carrier was an engineer well-versed in the laws of humidity. In the early 1900s, a New York printing company needed to keep paper and ink from getting ruined due to the humidity in the room. So to counteract this, Carrier came up with the idea of mechanical refrigeration. His concept was built on the previous concepts and findings of those who came before him. Coupled with his own ingenious work, his design was successful. The invention lowered the room temperature as well as removed moisture from the air. Because of this, Carrier’s invention was a pivotal turning point in the progression of A/C’s development. Then in 1933, the Carrier Air Conditioning Company of America was formed. It is now known as the infamous HVAC brand called Carrier.
How Far Have Air Conditioning Systems Progressed?
Modern air conditioners have evolved significantly since Carrier’s first design. But his work laid the fundamental foundation for all A/C units thereafter. Now, in 2022, we can choose from a wide range of A/C models. Modern air conditioners are now labeled as energy-efficient, have vapor compression, can run diagnostics, utilize electronic sensors, and use smart thermostats to maximize energy efficiency.
88 percent of homes in America now have air conditioning systems. Air conditioning systems were immediately accepted into residential homes. In the beginning, they were only used in factories and industrial buildings. A/C’s were considered a luxury and not a basic necessity. Times have certainly changed over the years. At Fairfield-Hamilton Heating & Cooling, we want the best for you! Enjoying your summer should never be a question. If you need any HVAC-related services done or if your A/C goes out (fingers crossed it doesn’t), we are just a phone call away! Call us at (513) 540-1716, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
