The History of the Refrigerator
The conventional refrigeration of food produces significant greenhouse gas emissions due to leakage of refrigerant, as well as the consumption of electrical power. In 2019, these emissions accounted for 3.2% of the total UK annual territorial GHG emissions.
Refrigerators weren't widespread in British homes until the summer of 1959. Before 1959, the majority of British households depended on cold slabs that were kept in the pantry. They were inefficient and could not keep a constant temperature.
The History of Fridges In The UK
Refrigerators are among the most important kitchen appliances, allowing us to keep food and drinks fresh for a few days at a time. They're also extremely energy efficient. It's easy to forget that fridges were once considered luxury, however. It wasn't until the 1950s when they started to become popular. However, even then, it took a very hot summer for them to become popular in the UK.
Before refrigerators were invented people used the insulated ice containers to keep their food cool. In the winter they would collect blocks of ice on lakes and keep them in storage for warmer months. However, these ice containers weren't ideal. They had to be carried around by an ice man, and they were very heavy. In 1918 the first refrigerators with electric motors were released to the market. However it took a while before they became common in homes.
Today, fridges are a lot more efficient in terms of energy usage than they used to be. They consume less energy than they did ten years ago. Some fridges use only 4 kW*h per day (equivalent of 170 W continuous). Many domestic refrigerators come with an energy rating of A+.
In the 1950s, manufacturers began to introduce refrigerators with separate compartments for freezers. They also started producing models with a chrome finish, which was quite popular at the time. Since then, refrigerators have been offered in a variety of colours and finishes. Pastel shades, like pink and turquoise, were popular in the 1960s. Earth tone colors, like almond and avocado green, became increasingly popular in the 1970s and the 1980s. In the 1990s, stainless steel had become popular.
Fridges in the 1920s
Before refrigerators, people utilized wooden and insulated "ice boxes" to store fresh food and drinks. Ice men would bring ice blocks to fill them up, and they cooled things all through the year. Ice boxes can be found in the posh kitchens.
In 1918 the first electric refrigerator was introduced. It was atop the ice box that was already in a home. They were heavy noisy and expensive. They were also referred to as monitor-tops because of their motor that was located on the top of the refrigerator cabinet. William C. Durant bought out the Mellowes refrigerator company in 1918 and set up the Guardian Frigidaire company to mass manufacture refrigerators. Durant was in the direction of a design created by Cistercian monk Marcel Audiffren and Swiss engineer Albert Singrun. This was an absorption refrigerator for sulfur dioxide.
In the 1920s, new refrigerators became affordable to many households. These refrigerators could hold more food and drinks, and kept them colder for a longer time than the older ice boxes.
Advertising on refrigerators was creative, enticing and filled with promises of ice-cold beverages and stylish designs. The ads from the past are fascinating to read since they offer us a glimpse into the life of that time.
At the close of the 1920s, electric refrigeration was found in almost all homes. Electric utilities aided this trend by offering discounts on their bills to customers who purchased refrigerators. The popularity of refrigerators was even greater during the Great Depression when they were considered essential for home survival.
Fridges in the 1950s
Refrigerators became more popular in the 1950s. They were still rare in the 1920s. By the late 1960's, you could find them in the majority of homes (although it is worth noting that you wouldn't find a refrigerator in every household during the early days, since this was an expensive purchase for a lot of people).
The majority of the fridges of the early years were utilitarian and had simple designs that matched the decor of the kitchen of the time. The refrigerators were typically smaller and sat on legs. They came in a variety of colors (though the majority were pastels such as mint). In the time of this, there were a number of fridge manufacturers which included Whirlpool (who had just made a splash as a leading brand), Gibson, Hotpoint and Tappan.
These brands were known for high-quality and reliable refrigerators. These brands also had other types of appliances in their product range. For instance, Crosley was a manufacturer of radios before moving into refrigerators in the 1940's and were known for their small refrigerators that fit well into smaller areas.
In the 1950's, refrigerators became more stylish and were promoted as an image of status for housewives. They were designed to match cabinets and walls in the kitchen, and were typically white and featured chrome handles.
In the 1960s, refrigerators began develop into appliances that had separate freezer sections and ice-cube makers. The manufacturers also began to employ cheaper materials, allowing them to offer their products at a lower cost.
best fridges in 1960s
Fridges finally became a staple in most households in the 1960s, with many families having two refrigerators. They were expensive for a while - in America the average fridge cost $600 (that's approximately $7000 in 2024 dollars) - but at the end of the 60s, they were only $200.
The refrigerator was a significant technological advancement at the time. It transformed kitchens and altered the way we preserved our food. The fridge also provided home comfort as it kept meat and dairy longer in freshness. This allowed people to shop in bulk, cook meals ahead and keep them in the fridge.
Early refrigerators used harmful gases such as sulfur dioxide, ammonia and methyl chloride to cool food. This was dangerous for humans as these gases leaked out of the refrigerators. In 1929 carbon dioxide was introduced as a safer method of cooling food. Several people were poisoned and died.
It enabled manufacturers to design more efficient and safer refrigerators that could be used in homes. Certain refrigerators had an internal freezer uk that was accessible by opening the refrigerator door. These were referred to as bi-door refrigerators, and were extremely popular during the 1950s and 1960s.
The 1960s fridges were sleeker and more modern. They were curved with soft curves and a sleek look that suggested an era of efficiency and home freedom. They were still quite large, but the boxy look of refrigerators from the 1940s was starting to fade.
Fridges Today
The modern fridge freezer comes in a wide range of styles, colours and finishes to suit individual tastes and kitchen decors. Some fridge and freezer freezers have smart features that are connected to Wi-Fi. This lets you quickly alter the settings. Others have an integrated camera to look inside the refrigerator.
best french style fridge freezer uk door models are now dominating the market, as consumers are looking for modern designs and features such as water or ice dispensers and flex drawers. In some cases, a smart display. Many of these appliances are also rated as A B, C or even A+ for energy efficiency, following the overhaul of the mandatory labelling system in refridgerator uk (https://www.metooo.co.uk/) appliances.
This Hotpoint model is a popular choice for its sleek design. It features a clever UVNano self-sterilizing system that kills bacteria in the fridge freezer on sale. Also, it has two salad drawers that have adjustable humidity sliders. It is also spacious with plenty of room for jars, bottles and a generous storage compartment for the door of the fridge.
Fridges that don't have a traditional ice tray can consume up to four times more power than those that do, so opt for those with an eco-friendly ICE+ option that uses less energy. Alternately, you can save even more by choosing a model that has an automatic ice maker which creates a continuous supply of ice that's ready to use in the morning.
The most effective thing you can do to protect the environment is to purchase fridges with an energy efficiency rating of either A or A+. When you're choosing a fridge, it's recommended to include the annual consumption of electricity of the fridge into your household budget. It is important to remember that we cannot afford to think of electricity as a luxury. Everyone deserves access to reliable, affordable and abundant electricity in order to lead a healthy lifestyle, be comfortable, and help protect the earth.