Fred W. Wolf invented the first commercially viable electric refrigerator in the United States. Sold for the first time in 1913,
Greener Refrigeration
Albert Einstein is remembered for many scientific achievements, but, as Time magazine notes, it’s often overlooked that he also made great contributions to eco-friendly refrigeration. In 1930, Einstein and a colleague patented a refrigerator that cools with ammonia, butane and water instead of Freon, a contributor to global warming.
Although Einstein’s original refrigerator was not very energy efficient, researchers from Oxford have adjusted his plans and believe they have a version that could be competitive in the marketplace in the future.