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7 Interesting Facts You Didn’t Know About Your Air Conditioner

Although air conditioners are in nearly every household these days, they are still a fairly new invention. They were first invented in 1902 by Willis Carrier, and they have come a long way since then. Today, there are all sorts of different types and brands of air conditioners on the market, each with its own set of features. 

Because it’s so widespread, you may not need AC installation in Belleville, but you’ll want to make sure your unit continues to work properly. 

Here are some historical facts about air conditioners that may surprise you! 

1. The Primary Reason for Developing Air Conditioning Units was not to Provide Cooling

The main purpose of creating air conditioners was not to cool the air but to measure the quality of the air. Willis Haviland Carrier (1876-1950) is credited with inventing modern air conditioning units. Willis Carrier encountered issues with ink control and paper growth and contraction in 1902, caused by changes in moisture content. Willis Carrier forwarded his designs for this subject to the Brooklyn-based Sackett-Wilhelms Lithographing & Publishing Firm for what is widely acknowledged to be the first contemporary air conditioning system. 

2. The First Private Residence to Have an Air Conditioner

The term “air conditioning” was invented by Stuart W. Cramer of Charlotte, and Charles Gates was the owner of the first private residence with air conditioning in Minneapolis in 1914. 

From 1898 to 1994, David St. Pierre DuBose crafted a system of ductwork and vents for his home Meadowmont. He realized that air conditioners would become a standard feature in private homes. This was one of the first private homes in the United States to be equipped with central air conditioning. 

3. After the Great Depression, Herbert Hoover Spent a Massive Amount of Money to Install an Air Conditioner.

Herbert Hoover, who served as the 31st President of the United States from 1929 to 1933, was the first to have an air conditioning system installed in the White House. He spent nearly $30,000 to install a system in the office shortly after the Great Depression began. 

4. The phrase "Summer Blockbuster" Started in the 20th Century

The air conditioning system gave rise to the term “Summer Blockbuster.” Movie theaters used air conditioning technology to expand their operations within the first half of the twentieth century. 

5. The use of Air Conditioners reduced the Number of Deaths in the Summer

According to American researchers, the mortality rate on hot summer days has significantly decreased. Over the last 50 years, the death rate has been reduced by more than 80%. The air conditioner can prevent heat stroke, dehydration caused by excessive sweating, and hyperthermia-related problems. 

6. Air conditioners are used Widely in the Automotive Industry

Vehicle air conditioning became widely used in the late twentieth century. Packard was the first car manufacturer to offer factory installed air conditioners in 1940. 

7. John Gorrie is Acknowledged as the "Father of Refrigeration"

John Gorrie is referred to as the “Father of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning.” In 1842, he worked as a doctor in Florida. John Gorrie invented the machine that produced ice, which aided in cooling the air for his sick patients. He was granted a patent for creating similar equipment for homes and buildings, but could not complete the project before his death. 

Are you looking for AC services including AC replacement in Belleville? Look no further than Martino HVAC. To learn more, call us at 647-277-9680 or email us at [email protected]