People existed long before air conditioning came along—but on brutally hot days, you sometimes wonder how! As it turns out, like many modern conveniences, air conditioning is a concept that has actually been around in some form since ancient times.
Here are a few air conditioning milestones along the way:
- Windcatcher: Originating in the Middle East and thought to exist for thousands of years, a windcatcher resembles a chimney with inlets atop a building’s highest point. These inlets take in passing breezes and push them downward into the building below.
- Rotary fan: One first version of air conditioning is credited to Chinese inventor Ding Huan: he designed a rotary fan with a series of seven wheels that was later hydraulically powered, which, according to an ancient Chinese text, was enough to cool an entire hall.
- The “Apparatus for Treating Air”: With Willis Carrier‘s invention, patented in 1906, AC as we know it got its start—soon after, the introduction of the centrifugal chillers, as well as chemical refrigeration, would make air conditioning a widespread reality for industrial, retail, and residential settings.
So next time you step inside to the chill of an air-conditioned space—be it a movie theater, a walk-in cooler, or your home, take a moment to appreciate the complex workings of a system we often take for granted. And if you need to cool off, contact us at Dalorem Heating & A/C today. Whether you’re looking for repair, replacement, or maintenance, we have the expertise to get your air conditioning in top condition!