World Refrigeration Day 2024

The 26^th June marks World Refrigeration Day, a global recognition of the industry that has saved countless lives, revolutionised food security and supported modern hospitality. Today, Weald celebrates the rich history that has made our design accomplishments possible.

The growth of microorganisms on fresh food and drink poses a threat to life. While decay can be slowed by fermenting, drying, salting and smoking, refrigeration has proved to be one of, if not the most effective form of preservation. The fridge and freezer are now common household appliances that the majority of people take for granted, but it has not always been that way.

There is evidence to suggest that our ancestors were using early refrigeration techniques as long as 3000 years ago. Though humble compared to the modern mechanical fridge, a multitude of ancient civilisations developed basic cooling methods to preserve food.

Civilisations further away from the equator had a natural advantage in climate. By harvesting ice blocks and employing snow insulation, it was possible to create functional cold storage. These approaches eventually paved the way for the ice trade, which would become the principle form of refrigeration during the Victorian era. The ice trade involved the cutting of ice from natural freshwater sources and shipping it across the world in preparation for the summer months.

The habitants of warmer countries however had to develop more innovative solutions to keep their supplies cold. Around 400 BC, the Persians built a dome-shaped evaporative cooler in Meybod, Iran, as shown below. Fundamentally, its design is based on the principle that heat rises, circulating cold air through the base. It is remarkable that this structure could keep ice cold despite the unrelenting desert heat.

The “Yakhchāl”, located in Meybod, Iran

The mechanical fridge is therefore a very young invention by comparison. General Electric introduced the first domestic electric refrigerator to the world in 1927 with a product called the “Monitor-Top”. Designed by Ralph J. Hull, it would quickly be refined into the everyday appliance that we know today. A century later, there are now an estimated 1.4 billion domestic fridges and freezers worldwide.

As refrigeration equipment has become so widespread that it is often mistakenly considered to be a mundane necessity, designers including the specialists at Weald Refrigeration realised the need for custom, beautifully-constructed fridges and coolers. This is a vision that the company has been pursuing successfully for over 50 years. Our bespoke bottle coolers and cabinets are crafted with the perfect balance between style and functionality. As we celebrate the history of the industry, Weald also looks to the exciting future of modern bespoke refrigeration.

Weald’s bespoke wine coolers in the IX Restaurant at The Chester Hotel, Aberdeen