The History of the Air Conditioner

The air conditioner is one of the most useful machines we have in the modern world. In temperate climates the control it offers over the temperature in offices and homes can be essential for the creation of a comfortable working or living environment. But how did the modern air conditioner come about?

The history of the air conditioner is twinned with that of refrigeration. As such the first developmental step can be seen as the discovery that liquid ammonia could chill the air around it, helping to cool foods and also create ice. It was a scientist named John Gorrie that first used a compressor to create the first ice cubes.

Air conditioning units were first developed for industrial applications and cooling processes rather than focussing on the creating a comfortable personal solution to warm days. It was at this time that the "father of Modern Air Conditioning" Willis Haviland Carrier invented the first electronic air conditioner just after the turn of the century in 1902.

The invention of this first conditioner was for uses within the printing industry, specifically controlling the environment within the printing plant, reducing humidity so that uniformity could be applied to the paper size and ink consistency. As a result efficiency in the plant was improved.

As a result of this success the Carrier Air Conditioning Company was formed with the ultimate objective of ensuring better productivity in various types of workplaces. Since this time the Carrier Company has grown to become one of the largest manufacturers of air conditioners in the world.

A major step forward in the development of air conditioners occurred in 1928. When a scientist name Thomas Midgely Jr, discovered that Freon could be used in air conditioning and refrigeration systems. This was so important because previously gases such as ammonia, propane and methyl chloride were used, all of which could be considered dangerous due to their flammability and toxicity. The types of gases were changed once again in the latter part of the twentieth century due to the harmful effects CFCs and HCFCs were having on the environment, subsequently environmentally friendly processes and materials are now a major focus for the industry.

Today air conditioners are used extensively in the commercial, industrial and domestic spheres. It is the early work of pioneers such as John Gorrie and Willis Haviland Carrier that has led to the advanced air conditioning technology we have in the modern age.