Going Back in Time: The History of Air Conditioners

A History Lesson on Air Conditioners

What would summer be without air conditioners? In a word: hot! Summers are a brutal time of year for much of the United States. With longer days, higher temperatures, and more humidity, many people are looking for an escape from the heat. So they turn on the air conditioner in their home. AC systems are very common in households and are in use for the majority of summer days. Many would call it a lifesaver for themselves and their families, keeping them cool and comfortable. So how did this brilliant HVAC system come to be? 

In this article, homeowners can learn more about the history of the modern air conditioner and how it was developed. They can also learn how the system’s history still affects its functionality today.

Meeting the AC Inventor

Most homeowners enjoy the many systems and appliances that they have in their homes: refrigerators, microwaves, washing machines, WiFi, central heating and AC, etc. However, few can name the inventors of these great products or how the products were developed. 

Ever heard of Willis Carrier? 

Many may be hearing his name for the first time, but he was the inventor of the first modern AC. Carrier was born in 1876 in Angola, New York, and graduated with a degree in engineering. As he was standing at a train platform on a foggy day, a lightbulb went off and he realized how he could reduce moisture in the air: by passing air through water to create fog and therefore controlling the air’s humidity. He then went on to build the first AC in 1902 and has been known as the “Father of Air Conditioning” ever since.

The Importance of Time Period in the AC Invention

In the time of the early 1900s, there were many advancements being made in manufacturing and engineering as well as societal changes. People had longed for a way to control an indoor environment to make it more comfortable. With the invention of air conditioning, it not only made this possible for homeowners but for businesses too. 

The invention of AC has led to numerous other inventions and has supported the growth of other products and services. Air conditioning led to movie blockbusters in the summer as people came to the theaters, dodging the heat. It made manufacturing easier and more comfortable for employees with less heat and humidity from all of the machinery. It paved the way for indoor shopping malls, international travel, and eventually led to the computers and servers that now power the world. 

Air Conditioner Development & Changes

The original air conditioner was quite large, which seems to be a trend for the “first” of anything. Remember those giant cell phones? The ones with the antennas that had to be pulled out? The world has made a lot of technological progress since then! 

The first air conditioner took up a whole room, and then some. It was 7 feet high, 6 feet wide, and 20 feet long! But even though the size of the system has changed drastically since then, it still uses the same concepts in its mechanical setup. 

An AC unit draws out the warm air inside of the house or building, pushing it outside and removing the heat. The most noticeable difference between then and now is that now an AC can fit right below a window or right outside of the door. 

About 1st Choice Air Solutions

1st Choice Air Solutions has been there for homeowners to keep the home running as it should since 1995. No matter what mother nature has in store, their HVAC professionals are available 24/7 to restore comfort to the property as soon as possible. They strive to be the best in the industry and are so much more than the average service company – they are in the customer satisfaction business.

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