6 interesting facts about fridges
Electrolux was the first company to patent the domestic refrigerator in 1922.
In America in the early 1920s a domestic fridge cost on average $600, which is equivalent to $7000 in today’s currency. By the time production reached Australia several years later the latest model was fetching around $200.
By 1964 it’s estimated that 94% of Australian homes had a fridge.
The method used to artificially manufacture ice was invented in Australia in 1851 by a man called James Harrison using an ether compression machine. The shipping of snow and ice was expensive because Australia is so large and warm and his method made ice more affordable for the average Aussie family.
From the late 1800s until 1929 fridges used toxic gases ammonia, methyl chloride and sulfur dioxide as refrigerants. Several people died from fatal toxic gas leaks during this time.
Sir Francis Bacon was one of the first people to figure out that cold could be used to preserve meat. He started experimenting with the refrigeration of food in 1626. He developed pneumonia as a result of his experiments and died a few months later.
Next time you’re reaching for your drink at the back of the fridge, take a moment to think how grand life is thanks to this ingenious invention. Perhaps also spare a thought for Sir Bacon. He did have rather an appropriate name for the job though.