“Cooler” has a different meaning in the 1960s than it does today. The 1960s saw the rise of the self-contained room cooler and the development of centrifugal chillers. These machines were revolutionary in the time they were introduced. Their use today would be more common.
Carrier’s centrifugal chiller
In 1920, Carrier’s first patent for centrifugal chillers was filed. The invention of these machines was a step towards extending the reach of air conditioning in both commercial and residential settings. The first centrifugal chillers were created to keep offices, warehouses, and theaters cool and comfortable. These cooling units used special heat exchangers that were made specifically for the industry. These machines were powered by an electric motor and transmission.
In May 1922, the Rivoli Theatre in New York introduced the first Carrier centrifugal chiller. Later, many improvements were made to the chiller and made it more reliable. Its reliability, lower cost, and widespread adoption soon saw it become a popular choice across the country.
Early centrifugal chillers offered many benefits, including reliability, ease of installation, and simple operation. They were not suitable for all applications, however. Methylene chloride was created in 1926 as a new refrigerant. It was more reliable and was not as flammable.
Coleman’s self-contained room cooler
Although Coleman was well-known for its lanterns, they also made a portable room cooler in the 1960s. These units were originally made from galvanized steel and were heavy and difficult to transport. They quickly switched to plastic, which is lighter and easier to load in a car. Today, they are available at most major retail stores.
General Electric’s self-contained room cooler
While home cooling systems have come a long way since the first room coolers were introduced, they remained too large and expensive for most homes. General Electric invented 32 prototypes of self-contained room coolers in the 1930s. By the mid-1930s, Frigidaire had begun marketing their own year-round central air conditioning systems. H.H. Schultz and J.Q. Sherman patented the first room air conditioner that sat on a window ledge. The company also synthesized chlorofluorocarbon coolants, which were the world’s first non-flammable refrigerants.
GE continued to produce room air conditioners with some variations in the 1960s. They sold them under the Thomas A. Edison brand, but also under private labels such as Coolerator and Kelvinator as well as the Montgomery Wards Signature. Above is a model from the Thinline series. The company also produced a high-capacity window air conditioner called the “Superline”.
Frigidaire’s self contained room cooler
The Frigidaire “room cooler” is the ancestor of today’s in-room air conditioners. It is a self-contained unit that cools a room several feet off the floor. However, it was also very expensive, costing $11,000 in today’s money. Its popularity decreased as rolling air conditioners became more affordable and more popular.
Cooling systems were too expensive and large for homes in the 1930s. Split-system room coolers were introduced by manufacturers to make them more affordable. These units were very heavy and required a separate condensing unit. General Electric’s Frank Faust improved this design in the 1930s and produced 32 prototypes.
Frank Faust, General Electric’s chief designer of the room cooler, patented 32 prototypes for the product in the 1930s. Frigidaire began marketing year-round central air conditioning systems in the same year. H.H. Schultz and J.Q. Sherman invented a window ledge AC conditioner. However, window AC units were expensive and not widely purchased. However, prices for window AC units began to drop in the 1960s and they became widely available.
General Electric’s portable cooler
General Electric Company developed an evaporative cooling system that improved power output and efficiency. It is suitable for use in areas of high ambient temperatures and low relative humidity. It also provided an improved cooling environment for workers. The portable cooler was very popular with workers in the construction industry.
Air conditioning systems were first introduced to the market in 1920s. However, they were too costly and heavy to be used at home. General Electric’s portable cooler, which was the first portable air conditioner, was created in the 1920s. General Electric developed 32 prototypes of self-contained room coolers in the 1930s.
Today, a cooler is widely used for picnics, parties, and long trips. It can keep ice cream cold and prevent it from melting in a hot car. Some have built-in cupholders.
Richard C. Laramy’s portable cooler
The portable cooler is an invention that began life in 1953. Richard C. Laramy, Joliet, Illinois, patented it. It was intended to allow for the storage of ice for longer periods of time. Although Laramy didn’t specify the contents of his first portable cooler, it is believed that it contained beer or lunchmeat. The portable cooler has come a long way since then.
Initially, the portable cooler did not have a molded plastic body. It was made from a heavy metal shell, and contained water and ice. It was heavy and cumbersome to transport. But, as the invention of styrofoam continued, so did the invention of the portable cooler.
Portable coolers are now a sought-after collectible. Collectors of 60s kitsch can find vintage Esky coolers for as high as $25.
Jordan Salcito, Ramona’s founder, was an oenophile
Jordan Salcito, a veteran of the wine industry, has a passion for bringing the world organic Italian wine. Her brand Drink RAMONA uses only the highest quality ingredients and follows high standards of production and service. A sommelier by training, she has worked at some of the world’s finest restaurants. She has now created a line organic Italian wine and spritzes. In September, she is launching a new podcast series that features her experiences.
Jordan Salcito has been curious about wine since she was a child and has worked in the wine industry ever since. After her first harvest in Burgundy in 2006, she fell in love with the wine industry. She has since worked as a prep cook and sommelier at various restaurants in New York City and Paris. She was most recently the Wine & Beverage director at David Chang’s Momofuku restaurants. Her passion for wine led her to create RAMONA, an organic Italian wine spritz.
Carrier’s invention
The invention of the modern air conditioner by Willis Carrier is widely credited with revolutionizing air conditioning. The original system was designed to cool a room during manufacturing. It was used in Sackett-Wilhelms Lithographing and Publishing Co. in Brooklyn, N.Y., to cool printing paper without it warping. The cooling unit used a cold coil to dehumidify the air and keep the paper smooth. The first model lowered humidity levels by 55 percent. This was the beginning of modern air conditioning technology.
This cooler allowed comfort cooling to penetrate the multifamily housing market. In 1937, Carrier Corporation bought the former H.H. Franklin Manufacturing complex was purchased by Carrier Corporation for $1,000. It began making air-cooled automobiles and machines. The technology was adopted by the industrial sector by the 1970s. Air-conditioned factories could provide comfort to workers who were otherwise exposed to hot, stifling air.
Coleman’s portable cooler
Coleman is a brand of outdoor recreation products, such as camping gear and coolers. It is also known for its lanterns. In the 1950s, the company began making portable coolers. Newell Brands currently owns the American company. Although the cooler’s name has changed over time, it is still sold in major retail outlets today.
The original cooler of the company was the Station Wagon. It was featured in the 1968 Coleman Outing Products Catalog. It featured a seamless interior and rust-proof base. It was sold in medium green enamel finish. It could be used with disposable fuel cartridges but was also available with bulk tanks.
The portable cooler was a popular accessory for many people. It was made from sturdy metal and was designed to store food or drinks. It was a popular accessory for camping trips and backyard barbecues because of its insulation. Collector’s items were made possible by the coolers’ logos. Glascock Bros. was even hired by Coca-Cola to design a portable cooler. It was made of steel and featured a galvanized liner. It also included a sandwich tray. It was a hit with people and set the standard for larger coolers.
