It seems hard to believe that prior to The Great Depression our world never knew what air conditioning was. And as the summer temps continue to rise in Arizona, many of us simply can’t possibly fathom what it would be like to live in the desert without some sort of air conditioning system keeping us cool. Well, there are several things you might be surprised to know about air conditioning being invented in 1932 that might give you a newfound respect for the technology we all take advantage of daily.
The 1932 Invention Of Air Conditioning
First – Some Facts About The Invention Of Air Conditioning
Many historians argue that air conditioning was invented in 1932 based on the fact that American physicist Stewart W. Cramer started using this term during the 1932 calendar year. However, the facts show that Willis Carrier (of the Carrier Air Conditioning Company) actually invented the concept of air conditioning as far back as 1902. This eventually led to production of the first commercial line of AC units in 1914.
But, here is something perhaps you didn’t know.
The ‘concept’ of air-cooling goes back as far as the ancient Egyptians, where reeds were hung in windows and were moistened with trickling water. The evaporation of water-cooled the air blowing through the window made the air more humid, which was very cooling and beneficial in a dry, desert community.
Modern day AC units didn’t actually hit store shelves for residential use until after WWII due to economic constraints during the depression and the World War.
Second – What Else Happened In 1932?
It’s amazing what you find on the Internet these days – isn’t it? Here are a few ‘cool’ facts about other things that happened in 1932.
- Did you know that the average cost of a new home in 1932 was less than $7,000.00? And the average household income was less than $1,650.00 per year? Gasoline would cost you a whopping $0.10 per gallon at the time, a loaf of bread was 7 pennies and a pound of hamburger meat cost the same as a gallon of gasoline.
- Congress enacted The Emergency Relief and Construction Act on July 21st, 1932. This was our country’s first relief legislation and was very important in ending The Great Depression. This major legislation was a big part of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s ‘New Deal’ program; however history will always document that it was in fact President Herbert Hoover that enabled this program during his last term in office.
- If you like music, you’ll go nuts to realize who was born in 1932. Some of the 32 babies included music icons, Little Richard, Country stars Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, and Loretta Lynn, world famous DJ Casey Kasem and classical music icon John Williams who wrote the soundtracks and themes to iconic films including Star Wars, ET and Jaws, to name a few.
As you can see, the world has come a long way since air conditioning was invented in 1932. Today’s systems are Wi-Fi capable, can be remotely activated from virtually anywhere in the world and use space age materials to focus on energy efficiency. Regardless of what type of cooling system you have, you can thank a guy named Stewart Cramer for giving this life-saving device such a cool name.
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FAQs
Willis Carrier Invented Modern Air Conditioning in 1902
High heat and humidity was causing the paper to change size and causing issues with the inking process. He designed the air conditioner to keep the paper from expanding and so that the ink would dry quickly.
How much was a air conditioner in 1932? ›
In 1931, H.H. Schultz and J.Q. Sherman developed what would become the most common type of individual room air conditioner: one designed to sit on a window ledge. The units went on sale in 1932 at US$10,000 to $50,000 (the equivalent of $200,000 to $1,100,000 in 2023.)
What was the original purpose of the air conditioner? ›
Willis Carrier invents first modern electrical air conditioning unit as a way to solve a moisture problem for a publishing company.
What did the introduction of the air conditioner do to impact settlement amongst Americans starting in the 1950s? ›
After the 1950s, air-conditioning enabled not just the construction of millions of Southern homes, but also the economic development of the South. It made possible industrial work like printing, food processing and electrical manufacturing that would be hard to manage in sweltering heat.
How did the first air conditioner change the world? ›
Winning Innovation. Carrier's air conditioning aided in the efficient manufacture of airplanes, production of precision equipment and control of blast furnaces used for making steel, helping to propel the Allies to victory.
Did you know facts about AC? ›
Here are ten interesting facts about air conditioning to whet your appetite:
- Early artificial cooling started with chemical reactions. ...
- Ice blocks were the first air conditioners. ...
- Modern air conditioning was invented to dry ink. ...
- The summer movie phenomenon started thanks to AC.
From the early 1900s through the 1950s, most homes were cooled by opening windows or using an electric fan. Being sent to the cellar to retrieve something during the height of summer days offered a brief reprieve with its cool and clammy air.
Did cars in the 1930s have air conditioning? ›
A company in New York City in the United States first offered the installation of air conditioning for cars in 1933. Most of their customers operated limousines and luxury cars.
What year did they stop using Freon in air conditioners? ›
History of the Freon Ban
It was banned from all new cars sold in the country beginning in 1995 and stopped being used in new air conditioning systems, heat pumps, and refrigeration systems in 2010. With the 2020 ban, no additional Freon could be produced or imported.
Who invented the first AC? ›
In 1902, Willis Carrier submitted his design for the first modern air-conditioning system, accomplishing a feat that was once thought to be impossible – control of the indoor environment.
In 1906, Stuart Cramer, who was a textile mill engineer, was the first person to coin the term “air conditioning.” The first residential unit was installed in 1914 and needed a room of its own: it was seven feet high, six feet wide and 20 feet long.
How did air conditioning impact society? ›
Nearly 90% of all single-family homes have air conditioning units. More so, air conditioning allowed for taller buildings to be built because, before its invention, rooms on the upper floors would be unbearably hot. Before AC, people needed to use giant blocks of ice to cool themselves and their food.
How did air conditioning affect America? ›
According to a recent study, heat-related deaths in the US declined by 75% over the course of the 20th century—“almost the entire decline occurred after 1960.” The widespread use of residential air conditioning since the '60s pretty much explains the entire decline in heat-related fatalities.
How did people survive without AC? ›
Architecture played a big role in keeping homes cool. By creating archways, large windows, and high ceilings, builders could funnel in outdoor breezes and create cross-ventilation. Porches built in the shade also gave people an area to cool off during the evening.
What happened before the invention of air conditioning? ›
Long before the invention of air conditioning, many people kept cool by using natural methods. As recently as the 20th century, the primary method for cooling homes and workplaces was by using large slabs of ice sliced out of frozen ponds and lakes.
How was the first air conditioner? ›
Willis Carrier, a 25-year-old experimental engineer, created a primitive cooling system to reduce humidity around the printer. He used an industrial fan to blow air over steam coils filled with cold water; the excess humidity would then condense on the coils and produce cooled air.
What is the oldest air conditioner? ›
The first electrical air conditioning was invented by Willis Haviland Carrier in the year 1902. He was also known as the Father of Modern Air Conditioning.
How big was the first AC? ›
In 1906, Stuart Cramer, who was a textile mill engineer, was the first person to coin the term “air conditioning.” The first residential unit was installed in 1914 and needed a room of its own: it was seven feet high, six feet wide and 20 feet long.
It seems hard to believe that prior to The Great Depression our world never knew what air conditioning was. And as the summer temps continue to rise in Arizona, many of us simply can’t possibly fathom what it would be like to live in the desert without some sort of air conditioning system keeping us cool. Well, there are several things you might be surprised to know about air conditioning being invented in 1932 that might give you a newfound respect for the technology we all take advantage of daily.