History and Story Behind Inventions: Refrigerator

About the story behind the invention of the refrigerator, history and biography of inventor Jacob Perkins.

INVENTION: Refrigerator

INVENTOR: Jacob Perkins, U.S.

YEAR: 1834

HOW INVENTED: While Perkins invented the 1st mechanical refrigerator, and Albert T. Marshall, of Brockton, Mass., in 1899 patented a household machine with "an automatic expansion-valve for refrigerating apparatus," the prototype of the modern kitchen refrigerator was created by Georg Munters and Baltzar Carl von Platen, of Stockholm, Sweden, in 1926. The patent called for gas and water circulating a refrigerant.

The 1st actual refrigerator based on the Swedes' patent was made and sold by the Electrolux Refrigerator Sales Company, of Evansville, Ind.

You Are Here: Trivia-Library Home » Story Behind the Inventions » History and Story Behind Inventions: Refrigerator
« History and Story Behind Inventions: Pencil with EraserHistory and Story Behind Inventions: Roller Skates »