Who invented the refrigerator?

Methods for preserving food by cooling have been around for thousands of years, but the modern refrigerator is a recent invention. read more

A self-contained refrigerator, with a compressor on the bottom of the cabinet was invented by Alfred Mellowes in 1916. Mellowes produced this refrigerator commercially but was bought out by William C. Durant in 1918, who started the Frigidaire company to mass-produce refrigerators. read more

Before the invention of the modern refrigerator, people put food in holes packed with snow and ice to preserve freshness. Before the invention of the modern refrigerator, people put food in holes packed with snow and ice to preserve freshness. read more

Perkins then persuaded a man named John Hague to construct the machine, and the refrigerator was born. Created more as an experiment than something fit for commercialization, Perkins' product certainly had room for improvement. read more