Only after the invention of the modern electric refrigerator did early non-electric refrigerators become known as iceboxes. [1] . The terms ice box and refrigerator were used interchangeably in advertising as long ago as 1848. [2] The first recorded use of refrigeration technology dates back to 1775 BC in the Sumerian city of Terqa. [3] .

Apr 13, 2012 · The rectangular tin box, as seen in the sketch above, allowed space for ice between it and the wood. Both were covered with cloth and rabbit skin. He gave detailed information on the properties of the tin, wood, air space, cloth and skin to the cooling process.

Jan 29, 2008 · Thomas Moore (1760-1822) was a cabinetmaker, engineer, and farmer who developed one of the earliest refrigeration devices. Moore's "refrigerator" was constructed by placing a tin box inside an oval cedar tub and filling the gaps between box and tub with ice.

This image shows ice harvesting in the early 1850s. Horses were used to drag the ice-cutters to mark the ice into large blocks. Horses also helped move the huge chunks of ice once they were cut. This video shows the many steps of the ice harvesting process in more detail.

Today, Moore is best remembered for inventing an icebox for which he became the first to bestow the name refrigerator. Moore 's grandfather, James Moore was a Quaker who lived most of his life in Waterford, Ireland. In 1740, illness killed his wife and six of his children.

Thomas Moore’s ice box received a patent in 1802 as the first refrigerator, although it was more akin to a cooler. The design was quite simple. Moore placed a small tin box into a wooden box and filled the spaces inbetween with ice.

Feb 12, 2017 · In the 1920s, ice consumers purchased ice boxes lined with zinc or lead to preserve their foods. There were magical, icy cold drinks, ice box cookies, cakes, and pies. The iceman was soon a staple person in most American cities and towns.

Dec 5, 2024 · The Mickleton Heritage family, makers and sellers of ice cream, would usually run out of their own ice supply by midsummer at which time they would purchase ice from the Woodbury Ice Plant on Russell Street. The ice was stored in …

However, ice houses were around long before the dawn of the icebox. Records dating back to 1780 BC talk about construction of an icehouse in Mesopotamia. Starting as dug out pits lined with straw, ice houses evolved around the world over the years, into everything from brick buildings to underground tunnels.

In 1869, refrigerators were still rare but, with innovations, the number of homes with iceboxes increased in the 1870s and 1880s (Strasser, 1983, p. 20). From 1860 to 1890, refrigerators were generally ice chests. In these iceboxes, a piece of ice was put on the top shelf to cool the lower shelves (Rubin, 1998, p. 48).