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