Stuff You Should Know – Episode: The History of Refrigeration

Release Date: February 11, 2025
Hosts: Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts

Introduction to Refrigeration

In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, hosts Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant delve into the intriguing history of refrigeration, exploring how this seemingly simple technology has revolutionized food storage, transportation, and even societal habits over centuries.

Early Methods of Cooling

The conversation kicks off around [02:12] as Chuck introduces the concept that refrigeration isn't just a modern convenience but has roots stretching back thousands of years. Early civilizations understood the value of cold storage:

• Ancient Practices: Before mechanical refrigeration, societies employed natural methods to keep things cold. For instance, Josh notes, “Cold keeps the flies away,” highlighting one of the earliest reasons for cooling—[04:16] – which was essential for preserving food and beverages.

• Chinese Innovations: Chuck shares, “Saltpeter, which is used in making gunpowder, was found to absorb heat when dissolved in water… one of the first artificial cooling methods was to make a little saltpeter bath” [08:19]. This early method utilized the principles of evaporation to lower temperatures.

Development of Artificial Refrigeration

Moving forward in time, the hosts discuss significant milestones in the evolution of artificial refrigeration:

• William Cullen’s Experiment (1750): Josh mentions, “William Cullen… did the first experiment on artificial cooling… it was pretty clever to use something like an artificial refrigerant rather than just, say, water” [26:27]. Cullen's demonstration laid the groundwork for future advancements.

• Jacob Perkins’ Refrigerator (1834): Chuck credits Perkins for developing the first working refrigerator using a vapor compression cycle, a fundamental principle still in use today [28:00].

• Refrigerants Evolution: The discussion touches on the progression of refrigerants—from toxic substances like ammonia and methyl chloride to the more environmentally harmful hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Josh highlights the environmental dilemma: “Hydrofluorocarbons… have a global warming potential, or GWP, of 14,800” [31:29].

Impact on Society and Economy

Refrigeration's advancements had profound effects on various aspects of society and the economy:

• Railroads and Shipping: Around [33:29], Chuck explains how refrigerated rail cars, known as “reefers,” transformed the meatpacking industry. This innovation allowed for the shipping of “dead meat,” making beef more accessible and affordable, thus doubling the cow population in the U.S. within 30 years [34:20].

• Dietary Changes: Josh discusses how refrigeration eliminated issues like "spring sickness" ([19:44]), a form of malnutrition caused by limited food variety during seasons, by enabling year-round access to diverse foods.

• Cold Storage Facilities: By [41:07], over 600 large cold storage facilities existed, primarily in urban areas, storing everything from produce to eggs, which supported the emerging practice of having eggs available year-round through selective breeding of chickens [42:31].

Evolution into Modern Refrigeration

The narrative transitions into the 20th century, showcasing how refrigeration became a staple in households:

• Iceboxes to Electric Refrigerators: Chuck reminisces about iceboxes—a common household item before electrical refrigeration [48:10]—and how George Eastman’s introduction of the first mechanical electric refrigerator in 1914 paved the way for modern fridges. By 1927, GE’s iconic "Monitor Top" refrigerator became widely popular [49:22].

• Cultural Shifts: Josh reflects on how refrigerators changed meal practices, allowing leftovers to be preserved without being transformed into stews, a significant shift in household food management [50:01].

• Frozen Foods Boom: The 1950s saw the advent of frozen foods like TV dinners and frozen orange juice, made possible by advancements in refrigeration technology [54:29]. Chuck emphasizes Betty Cronin’s pivotal role in developing the synchronized freezing process for TV dinners [55:17].

Modern Cold Chains and Globalization

In the latter part of the episode, Josh introduces the concept of the "Cold Web," a sophisticated global network enabling rapid transportation of perishable goods:

• Global Distribution: “We can catch a fish in Norway, send it off to China for processing, and then send it from China to the United States for eating all within a half an hour,” Josh marvels [56:36]. This illustrates the seamless integration of global supply chains facilitated by modern refrigeration.

Conclusion

Josh and Chuck wrap up by highlighting the incredible journey of refrigeration from rudimentary cooling methods to the complex systems that underpin today’s global food distribution. They underscore how refrigeration has not only changed how we store and consume food but also reshaped economies, diets, and daily lives across the globe.

Notable Quotes:

• Chuck Bryant [02:41]: “Refrigeration is one of those topics that has popped up in myriad ways in many episodes… this is one of those stuff you should know things where we're just gonna bring it all together and finally talk about the main topic.”

• Josh Clark [27:00]: “If you see a diagram and how it's explained on how a vapor compression refrigerator works… There's really just like four components to it… I finally got it, Chuck.”

• Chuck Bryant [34:20]: “The cow population in the United States more than doubled in 30 years after we figured out how to refrigerate meat or ship refrigerated meat.”

• Josh Clark [31:29]: “Hydrofluorocarbons… have a global warming potential, or GWP, of 14,800. That's a lot more than CO2.”

This comprehensive exploration showcases refrigeration's pivotal role in shaping modern society, emphasizing its technological advancements and far-reaching impacts.