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Air conditioning units (ACs), commonly known as air conditioners, are widely used household electrical appliances worldwide, especially in Vietnam. While using air conditioning is common, few realize that this invention is over 100 years old. In the article below, we invite you to explore the history and development of air conditioning!
The Early Stage of Air Conditioning
In reality, humans have been attempting to manipulate weather and impact nature since ancient times. While heating through burning was relatively straightforward, the technique of cooling became more intricate.
2. Ancient Romans
In ancient times, Romans also devised a network of water pipes around their homes' walls to cool down during hot dry days. Meanwhile, Persians constructed water reservoirs and wind towers nearby to cool the air.
3. Han Dynasty – China
During the Han Dynasty in China, people invented wooden mechanical fans to generate cool breeze. In fact, during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong (712-762) of the Tang Dynasty, a cooling tower equipped with water-powered fans was constructed within the palace.
Foundation Stage of Air Conditioning
It wasn't until the 17th century, with a series of scientific discoveries, that humans began to figure out how to manipulate the environmental temperature to turn summer into winter.
It all began with the inventor Cornelis Drebble (1572-1633), who devised a model for cooling air by adding salt to water to enhance its evaporative cooling effect. Despite presenting it to the then-king of England, James I, it wasn't given much attention.
In 1758, the governor of Pennsylvania, Benjamin Franklin (1785-1788), along with Professor of Chemistry John Hadley (1731-1764) at Cambridge University, conducted experiments and discovered the principle of cooling through evaporation. This marked a crucial milestone laying the groundwork for future air conditioning units.
By 1820, British chemist Michael Faraday (1791-1867) successfully conducted experiments compressing and liquefying ammonia gas. During these experiments, he discovered that evaporating liquid ammonia could chill the surrounding air, laying groundwork for future air conditioning units.
Michael Faraday (1791-1867)
In 1842, Dr. John Gorrie (1803-1855) also employed compression methods to produce ice for cooling patients in Florida, USA. By 1851, the first ice-making machine was commercially patented by engineer James Harrison (1816-1893), later operated in Australia.
By this time, most scientists were still focused on traditional ice-making methods by human labor, storing ice during winter for summer use. It wasn't until 1881, when U.S. President James Garfield (1831-1881) was hospitalized in the U.S. Navy, that the idea of creating cool air by blowing air over continuously replenished ice gained attention. Millions of kilograms of ice were used over two months before the president's passing.
First Modern Air Conditioner
In 1911, Carrier introduced the 'cooling formula with proper humidity ratio' to the American mechanical engineering community. This cooling method has been applied to this day.
In 1914, the first household in Minneapolis installed Carrier's manufactured air conditioning system.
From 1917 to 1930, people could enjoy cool air from air conditioners in movie theaters. In 1922, Carrier replaced the hazardous refrigerant ammonia with a safer compound called dielene.
Subsequent generations of air conditioners have also been minimized in size, made more compact, and installed in various places such as grocery stores, ships, etc.
From 1924 to 1930, air conditioning equipment became widespread in many government offices in the United States.
In 1928, American engineer Thomas Midgley successfully produced Freon gas for refrigeration technology for the first time, widely used in air conditioning systems until 1994.
In 1931, Schultz and Sherman successfully developed a compact air conditioner placed on a windowsill, cooling a single room.
Thomas Midgley (1889-1944)
In 1946, 30,000 household air conditioners were manufactured and supplied to people across the United States. By 1953, over 1 million air conditioners had been produced and sold.
Modern Air Conditioning Today
In 1957, German engineer Heinrich Krigar successfully developed the world's first centrifugal compressor. With this technology, air conditioners were produced with smaller size, lighter weight, smoother operation, and higher efficiency.
Currently, most air conditioners utilize Inverter technology. This technology employs variable-frequency compressors to achieve desired temperatures along with minimal temperature amplitude, helping save energy consumption.
This is the most widely used type of air conditioner today and is predicted to continue to develop and become more prevalent in the future.
Scientists Regarded as the 'Fathers' of Air Conditioning
In the 17th century, inventor Cornelis Drebble devised a method of cooling air by adding salt to water. His 'summer to winter' system was introduced to the king of England at the time.
Cornelis Drebble (1572-1633)
In 1758, inventor John Hadley also researched and discovered the relationship between the evaporation of liquids and the air cooling process.
John Hadley (1731-1764)
In 1820, British chemist Michael Faraday successfully compressed and liquefied ammonia gas. He found that when evaporated, ammonia gas had the ability to cool the surrounding air.
Michael Faraday (1791-1867)
That laid the groundwork for in 1842 when Scottish physician John Gorrie (1803 - 1855) invented a machine to produce ice for cooling an entire large building.
Scottish physician John Gorrie (1803-1855)
Model of John Gorrie's ice-making machine
In 1851, engineer James Harrison successfully invented the first ice-making machine. By 1854, this machine was officially commercialized. In 1855, he was awarded a patent for the system of refrigerating cabinets using ether compression.
Engineer James Harrison
Harrison's ice-making machine
Some top-selling air conditioner models for this summer!
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