Thomas Elkins designed a device that helped with the task of preserving perishable foods by way of refrigeration. At the time, the common way of accomplishing this was by placing items in a large container and surrounding them with large blocks of ice. Unfortunately, the ice generally melted very quickly and the food soon perished.

Elkins’ device utilized metal cooling coils which became very cold and would cool down items which they surrounded. The coils were enclosed within a container and perishable items were placed inside. The coils cooled the container to a temperature significantly lower than that inside of a room thereby keeping the perishable items cool and fresh for longer periods of time.

Elkins patented this refrigerated apparatus on November 4, 1879 and had previously patented a chamber commode in 1872 and a dining, ironing table and quilting frame combined in 1870.

1 reply Rodney says: November 5, 2014 at 2:24 pm

It was great to see that you guys added “Black Inventors” to your website. With that addition, I fill that you are starting to “Come Back” to your Roots.Which is where this radio station started in the early days( e.i. Lou Palmer) by utilizing this station as a source of Educating our People about Our Black History!!

Why have “White Soul” month , when we don’t have a Love and understanding of our OWN History. The Public School system don’t educate our kids , so We need to Educate Our Kids!!

We don’t need no more “White Soulll ” Anything !!!!!!!!!!!!!!