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Celebrating 100 Years of The ACHR NEWS marks a century of HVACR coverage.
Summary
The ACHR NEWS marks its 100th anniversary and reflects on the industry's shift from early electric refrigeration in 1926 to widespread use today.
Content
The ACHR NEWS is observing its 100th anniversary and tracing how the HVACR industry has evolved since 1926. The first issue appeared as Electric Refrigeration News when electric refrigeration was still unfamiliar to many Americans. Early domestic units were rare and commercial businesses often used ice or primitive mechanical systems. Over the decades the industry moved from novelty technologies to widespread, standardized practice.
Notable details:
- The publication began in 1926 as Electric Refrigeration News and documented early industry developments.
- Early household refrigeration milestones mentioned include a 1918 Frigidaire model and GE's Monitor-Top arriving in 1927.
- Commercial refrigeration then relied on ice blocks or primitive ammonia and CO systems, and the idea of a cold chain was emerging.
- The first issue included a Chicago-area survey showing consumer questions about noise, cost, and operation, alongside an ad for a $215 electric refrigerator (about $3,791 in today's dollars).
- The ACHR NEWS reports it has spent 100 years documenting advances in efficiency, comfort, and reliability and says it remains committed to clear, authoritative coverage.
Summary:
The centennial highlights how early skepticism about electric refrigeration gave way to broad adoption and ongoing technological change. The ACHR NEWS has chronicled that transformation and announces continued commitment to reporting as the industry moves forward.
