Air Conditioning: A Cornerstone of the Modern World

Air conditioning. We all use it everyday and most of us probably take it for granted. However, air conditioning was an invention that took the world by storm and made the modern world as we know it possible. Cities and many of their attractions were made possible by the air conditioning we often take for granted. Air conditioning is even more important for cities, their locations and attractions, than steel or concrete. This invention exhibited social, cultural, and political changes and is more important than we may think.

A Short History

Humans have been trying to stave off the heat forever, and have spent time trying to control the climate since Roman times with the invention of aqueducts. However, it was Nikola Tesla’s development of electricity that allowed air conditioning to take off. The first modern air conditioning unit was made in 1902 by a young engineer named Willis Carrier. This unit however, was not made for comfort but to control the humidity in a printing plant where he worked. After finding a way to reduce the units size it was released to the public as we know it in 1922 and allowed personal homes and businesses to join in the battle against heat. This boosted Hollywood as we know it in the 1920s with theatres being able to open year round and not close in the heat.

The Rise of Cities

With the introduction of the air conditioning unit in homes, offices, and businesses, cities were able to thrive in places that previously, the climate wouldn’t allow. It is thought that in 1950 only 28% of the US population resided in its sunbelt. This number was boosted to 40% by the year 2000. Even more impressive is that the population of the Gulf cities before 1950 was less than 500,000 and now the population is around 20 million. Singapore, China, and India also got massive boosts in their cities due to this invention.

With air conditioning cities can appear to control the climate, allowing you to go from your house, to your car, to a social space, without ever feeling the outside heat. In some cities such as those in Dubai or Singapore buildings which appear separate are connected allowing you to go from hotels to malls without ever even stepping foot outside. Even less exotic cities take full advantage of air conditioning. If you live in a city such as Atlanta then looking for local companies to help you take advantage of this technology to the fullest is a good idea. Local companies can be extremely helpful if you are looking for high quality HVAC Decatur or other counties service.

Achievements

Air conditioning has improved human life in many ways, not only by increasing comfort in our homes, offices, and social buildings. Loss of life from excess heat has seen considerable reductions. Hot areas of the world have seen increased productivity as well as economic activity. Schools and hospitals function better, and computing and theatre has seen a massive boost. The creation of the modern city was certainly boosted by the invention of air conditioning, and has helped humanity flourish in places we couldn’t before.