Artificial refrigeration began in the mid-1750s, and developed in the early 1800s. 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.

When did Refrigeration become common in homes?

Warm summer months meant that families would gamble with safe food consumption, and any families living in poverty were rarely able to afford ice. Thankfully, the first refrigerator arrived on the domestic scene in 1927, and by the year 1944 85% of American households owned a refrigerator.

How did they keep food cold before refrigerators?

The natural ice harvesting industry in America began to take off in the early 1800s. ... A large block of ice was stored inside to keep these early refrigerators chilly. By this point, cold had become the clear choice among food preservation methods, proving less labor-intensive and more effective at preventing spoilage.