The first refrigerators were invented in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the first electric refrigerators were invented in the early 20th century.
Early refrigerators
1748
William Cullen demonstrated the first artificial refrigeration using evaporative cooling
1834
Jacob Perkins invented the first vapor compression system for refrigerators
1876
Carl von Linde patented a process for liquefying gases used in artificial refrigeration
Electric refrigerators
1913
Fred W. Wolf invented the first home electric refrigerator, which was a unit on top of an icebox
1918
William C. Durant mass produced the first home refrigerator with a self-contained compressor
1916
Alfred Mellowes invented a self-contained refrigerator with a compressor on the bottom of the cabinet
Refrigerators in India
1958: Godrej and Boyce introduced the first Indian refrigerator
Refrigerant gases
Early refrigerators used toxic gases like ammonia, methyl chloride, and sulfur dioxide as refrigerants
In the 1930s, Freon was developed as a less hazardous substitute for these toxic gases