Fridge

The first fridge

1834

In 1834, the first working vapor-compression refrigeration system was built. The first commercial ice-making machine was invented in 1854. In 1913, refrigerators for home use were invented. In 1923 Frigidaire introduced the first self-contained unit.

Fridge

1900

In the 1940’s, consumers utilized their chilly compartments as frozen food storage. During this period, fridges went mass market: by 1944, 85% of American households owned a refrigerator.

Fridge

1960

This is when refrigerators started to get bigger and getting a rectangular look.

The Fridge

1970

Refrigerators in the 1970’s surprisingly took a turn back to the more boxy look of refrigerators in the 1940’s. The markets saw a rise in the popularity of compact and miniature fridges, and the environment became a top priority with the introduction of energy-efficient refrigerators and appliances to meet new standards put in place by various governments worldwide. A fridge in 1975 used about 2200 kWh/year of energy.

Fridge

1980

Refrigerators built in the 1980’s were built to last, with new appliances featuring sturdy and utilitarian influenced designs. Homes of the 1980’s took on a more pragmatic design than decades past, and refrigerators were no exception to this. The elimination of chlorofluorocarbons in refrigerator sealed systems made refrigerators of this decade more safe and sensible in the eyes of manufacturers and consumers. A fridge in 1985 used about 1700 kWh of energy.