Our air conditioning units become our most reliable companions during summertime. They keep our buildings nice, cool, and comfortable, ensuring we can beat the heat and stay relaxed during the hotter months. While most people rely on a modern air conditioner today, not many of them know about its interesting history. Do you know how a modern air conditioner came into existence? Who designed it for the first time? How did the world go on from hand-held fans to powerful and efficient AC units?
Today, we will delve deeper into the history of the modern air conditioner – an appliance that has become a necessity for most people across the globe.
To learn more about your air conditioner and how you can keep it running efficiently this summer, contact the heating and air conditioning experts at Galmiche & Sons in St. Louis.
Exploring the History of the Modern Air Conditioner – How Did it All Start?
At the beginning of the 20th century, a Brooklyn-based publishing company was dealing with major humidity issues. The company was known as the Sackett-Wilhelms Lithographic and Publishing Company, and its high-quality color printing was getting ruined due to extreme heat waves.
To solve this issue and reduce the humidity near the printers, Wills Carrier, a 25-year-old engineer, invented the first-ever air conditioner in 1902. While it was mainly invented to get rid of moisture in a printing plant, he soon found out that the unit could also cool the air all around.
But it was not an efficient or commercially practical solution at that point. After working on his invention for years, Carrier invented a smaller and more effective Centrifugal Refrigeration Compressor in 1922. It acted as the predecessor to the modern air conditioner we know and use today.
Carrier then went on to create the Carrier Corporation, which is still a well-known manufacturer of air conditioning units today.
The Invention of Room Air Conditioners
In 1914, H.H. Schultz and J.Q. Sherman invented the first residential air conditioning unit. It was a bulky device that was supposed to be placed on a window ledge, similar to the modern window air conditioner of the present day. However, it was too large and expensive for the average homeowner back then.
Over the coming decades, AC units became more and more popular, not just in commercial and industrial settings, but in people’s homes too.
Post-World War II Scenario
By the 1950s, air conditioning units had become affordable and practical for everyday residential use. After the post-World War II economic boom, many families were able to afford them for their homes.
Air conditioning quickly became more widespread, revolutionizing the way we live. It allowed people to live in hotter, more humid climates without having to rely on open windows and fans.
The Present-Day Scenario For the Modern Air Conditioner
The modern air conditioner has come a long way since 1902. Today, we have energy-efficient, affordable, and more eco-friendly models than ever before.
Plus, with technologically-advanced devices like smart thermostats, we can control our ACs from our phones, saving even more money on energy costs.
Get in Touch With Galmiche & Sons for All of Your HVAC Services in St. Louis
Now that we have discussed the history of the modern air conditioner, it is important to ensure that your AC unit remains in top-notch shape and works efficiently this summer. You can do that by scheduling regular AC maintenance and repair services from Galmiche & Sons in St. Louis.
Give us a call today to learn about our services and how we can keep your AC in the best condition and your home cool and cozy all year long.
