Before we have come to know the wide range of innovative refrigerators that’s packed with superb cooling functions, let’s go back to the simple cooling interface of the age-old refrigerator design that pioneered the revolution for efficient storage and food preservation.

Right after Jacob Perkins has discovered the ether vapor compression cycle and designed the first ice making machine, there were few noted people who came with succeeding researches and developments. However it was Carl Von Linden, a German engineer, who invented the refrigerator in its modern form, in 1876. Linden did not patent the refrigerator design, only the technology and the process of liquefying gas (which is ultimately the basic refrigeration technology) but this jumpstarted the long history of refrigerator design releases.

Following the understanding of the basic refrigeration technology, there have been few improvements in refrigeration techniques from Linden and from other appliance designers. At this point in time there wasn’t much interest in artificial cooling mediums and the people have their own primitive techniques for food preservation. By the time General Electric unveiled its first refrigerator design, this has become the starting point to mass marketed fridges. Some of the brands that may be considered as “early birds” in this industry are as follows – General Electric (GE), Frigidaire, Kelvinator, and Electrolux.

Since then, these manufacturing companies became involved in a tight competition to gain the market interest of consumers. They begin to come up with fresh designs and revolutionary innovations year after year – notable of which include the absorption process refrigerator, monitor-top fridges, and the first built-in refrigerator from Electrolux in the 1930s. Two decades after, manufacturing companies mushroomed in the market bringing with them the latest cooling technologies such as dual refrigeration system, air purification system, ice makers, etc.

Now, the modern refrigerator is not anymore limited to a single model; the refrigerator design has been deconstructed for many times to suit into various settings and applications. You can now specifically buy RV refrigerators to mount in those recreational vehicles in the same way that you can buy wine storage units to ensure the proper wine preservation.

Indeed, we have come far when it comes to improving the design of the refrigerator. As it is an indispensable appliance, there is more to expect in enhancements in the future.

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