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The Astonishing History of the Air Conditioner

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History of the Air Conditioner

How the Air Conditioner Came to Be

Believe it or not, there was once a time when having an air conditioner in your home was considered a luxury. That’s right, at one point in time, not all homes had an air conditioner, in fact, most homes didn’t. In today’s world, it’s common to take advantage of your air conditioner, not to mention the fact that some people don’t know how to properly maintain their unit. That is why learning the history behind the appliance is crucial. Not only will you appreciate the appliance more, but you just might learn a thing or two about how your unit works.

Continue reading to learn more about the creator of the air conditioner, Willis Carrier, and how he developed the first air conditioner. 

Willis Carrier Was More Than An Engineer: A Bio of the Inventor

Creator of the Air Conditioner - Willis Carrier
Willis Carrier was an engineer and recent Cornell Graduate on a foggy day in Pittsburgh in 1902 when the idea came to him. He was standing on a platform staring into the mist when he had an epiphany. He realized he could create fog by passing air through water. This leads him to discover that he could manufacture air with whatever amount of moisture in it he wanted.

He honed in on and developed his idea until he created a way to control humidity. A printer company needed a way to control humidity in their printers and hired Willis Carrier for the job. He invented the humidifier/dehumidifier for the printer company, but this sparked the idea in his mind and the air conditioner was born. 

Soon after the first air conditioner appeared on the market, Willis Carrier was forever known as the “Father of the Air Conditioner”. His invention revolutionized the field and made the world what we know today. 

The Times

Ticking Clock
1902 was a crucial time for Americans and the rest of the world. The Industrial Revolution changed the way the entire world worked, but it was the invention of the air conditioner that made entire industries possible. 

It is because of the air conditioner that the world has industries like:

    • Baked goods
    • Wartime supplies
    • Shopping malls
    • Movie theaters
    • International flights
    • Computers

Some of the world’s greatest businesses and inventions were made possible because of Willis Carrier’s air conditioner. The air conditioner quickly became the piece that solved the puzzle and took the world economy to a level no one had ever seen before. 

The Concept Behind the Air Conditioner

Air Conditioner System
The air conditioner actually borrows some ideas and concepts from the refrigerator. Basically, the first air conditioner Willis Carrier invented sent the air through a filter, then through coils that were cooled with coolant. In fact, his same design can be seen in today’s air conditioners as well.

Even the parts he used are essentially the same: 

    • A condensing unit that was belt-driven
    • Associated blower
    • Evaporator coil
    • Mechanical controls

Soon after Willis Carrier developed his air conditioner in 1993 and sent it to market, it became the most wanted model in the marketplace at that time. 

It is unclear if Willis Carrier knew how monumental his invention would be, but it is clear today that he was ahead of his time. Not only did he solve the problem of how to escape the heat in the summertime, but he made entire industries possible. There aren’t many inventors of the world that can say that. 

Sunset Heating & Cooling Knows Air Conditioners

The professionals at Sunset Heating & Cooling understand the frustrations associated with a broken HVAC system or thermostat. They are the experienced technicians you need to ensure the safety and efficiency of the job. You can trust they will always treat your home as if it were their own. Call today to schedule your next maintenance appointment!

What Our Clients Say

Sunset went out of their way to help with my project and David was amazing. Great job and look forward to future projects.

-Todd T.

Roman did an awesome job. I had the trifecta, new AC unit ,furnace and hot water heater. Courteous, and competent service. I highly recommend Sunset Heating & Cooling.

-Charles E.

Eduardo provided excellent service when he repaired our AC. I felt his effort was over and above expected. Polite and professional at all times. Good job!

-William G.

Caring, professional and helpful. Thanks for making things happen quickly and getting my Dear friend's heating back up and running in such a quick manner. You went above and beyond for a family in need and that is very much appreciated. Thanks from the whole group!

-Kristina K.

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