The invention of the refrigerator was a gradual process, with several key contributors:
- William Cruickshank (1775): A British chemist who was one of the first to experiment with refrigeration using chemical compounds.
- Jacob Perkins (1834): Often credited with inventing the first practical refrigeration system. He created a vapor-compression refrigeration cycle, using a pump to compress vapor and refrigerant to cool the air.
- Carl von Linde (1876): A German engineer who made significant advancements in refrigeration technology. He developed an efficient method for liquefying gases, which led to the creation of the modern refrigeration process.
The refrigerator as we know it today evolved over time, with these inventors and others contributing essential innovations.