The History of the AC
Can you imagine living without an air conditioner? We often take them for granted because they’re such an integral part of our modern life. Being able to press a button and change the temperature in a room, house, or office is pretty wild when you think about it. Air conditioners are one of the most important and widely-used inventions ever. They help people stay safe from extreme temperatures, and they work untold wonders for people’s mental health, as well. This brief but fascinating air conditioner history is something you don’t want to miss.
AC Inventor Willis Carrier
Born in New York in 1879, Willis Carrier would change the world before he was 30. He graduated from Cornell in 1901 with an engineering degree. Surprisingly enough, he struggled with fractions as a child. His mother taught him the importance of creative problem solving by slicing apples up to help Willis understand. Willis later said that the lesson was invaluable to him in his life and career.Shortly after earning his degree, Willis Carrier won a job at Buffalo Forge Company. In 1902, he had the idea for what would become the modern air conditioner. But, he wasn’t concerned about controlling the temperature. Instead, he wanted to figure out a way to control humidity.
The Time Period That Enabled Air Conditioning
In 1902, when the electrical air conditioner was invented, the most effective way of cooling a room was an oscillating fan. But fans did little to affect humidity. As a result, a printing plant in Brooklyn was experiencing air quality problems due to the high humidity in the plant. This problem gave Willis Carrier the idea for a device that would control humidity and temperature.
It wasn’t long before air conditioners became used in many industries. Most famously, movie theaters installed them and people packed the rooms, giving way to the summer blockbuster. It wasn’t so much the movies in those days that attracted people, but the chance to escape the sweltering summer heat.
Air Conditioner Development and Engineering
Carrier knew that you could heat objects by sending air through heated coils. So, he decided to reverse the process, sending air through water-cooled coils. The result was astounding, and pretty soon, Carrier was able to keep the air in the printing plant at a steady 55 percent humidity.
After this initial development, more additions and innovations were made to make the air conditioners we know today. For example, in 1922 he added a central compressor to make the unit smaller, which eventually led air conditioners to be relatively inexpensive.
Today, air conditioners use refrigerant instead of water to cool the coils. But, Willis Carrier’s original air conditioner plans haven’t changed fundamentally over the years. Small improvements have been made here and there, but Carrier’s invention is relatively unchanged and used all over the world.
About Atlantic Heating and Cooling
Founded in 1962, Atlantic Heating and Cooling has been proudly serving Boston, Massachusetts, for almost 60 years. Integrity and quality workmanship are an essential part of their business model. Their techs are trained and certified experts who won’t be happy until you are.
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