Question: Who invented modern air conditioning?
Answer: Dr Willis Carrier, on July 17th 1902.
An “Excessive Heat Watch” will be in effect from Saturday afternoon through Thursday of next week. A large area of high pressure is expected to settle over the region this weekend bringing hot, humid conditions. Temperatures will gradually climb through the 90s on Saturday and reach the lower 100s Monday through Thursday. High humidity will combine with the high temperatures next week to create dangerous heat index values ranging from 105 to 115 degrees during the afternoon and early evening hours
From ice cream to the beach, the staples of summer form the basis of treasured memories, but it’s air conditioning that comes to mind when the temperatures soar. This year marks the 109th anniversary of the invention of modern air conditioning by Dr. Willis Carrier, inventor and founder of Carrier Corporation. It's hard to imagine life without it. On July 17, 1902, Dr. Carrier developed and patented the first modern system to provide man-made control over his environment. From there, his innovation created an industry dedicated to making the world a cooler place to live, work and play.
Willis Carrier earned his degree in mechanical engineeering in 1901, and went to work in the drafting department of the Buffalo Forge Company. In 1902, he completed the drawings for what became known as the first mechanical air conditioning system, but it wasn't originally meantto keep people cool and comfortable. His invention was first designed for the manufacture of paper, to stabilize the temperature and moisture in
the factory's air so the dimensions of paper the paper would remain constant and the different color inks would line up correctly. The main focus of Carrier’s early work was to enable manufacturers to produce products better. It was called "Industrial conditioning”. Carrier first applied air conditioning to a home in 1914, and in 1932 he introduced the Carrier Room Weathermaker. Although hard to believe, people were slow to warm tothe idea. Today, air conditioning is found in more than 85% of U.S. homes. Carrier went on to find a way to air condition skyscrapers in 1939, and
changed the face of urban architecture. From humble begins, Carrier has grown to a global concern with revenues of 11.4 billion in 2009, employing 32,000 workers.
Until Dr.Carrier's invention, people stayed cool in a variety of ways: the swimming hole, fans, breeze ways and porches. But the oldest method of home climate control was living underground. Our cave-dwelling ancestors enjoyed temperatures in the 50s both summer and winter. The modern equivalent was the dugout house. They were inexpensive to build and stayed cool in the summer. This method of architecture led to spacious basements, split-level homes, and homes built into a hillside. More new buildings are constructed underground, or partially buried, every year. Cave living was the inspiration for the use of thick stone, adobe, or traditional brick outer walls.
Many people wonder how we ever got through the school year without indoor a/c, and thirty years ago, it was unheard of to cancel school due to heat. Why? Because schools were built with those thick brick walls, high ceilings, transoms and ceiling fans. And if all else failed, there were plenty of trees outside to hold class under. We never dreamed of air conditioning.
And we also walked six miles to go to school, and it was uphill both ways.
