The history of refrigeration goes back hundreds of years. From ice boxes to the first electric refrigerators, the evolution of these appliances supported businesses throughout the world. What many people don’t know is the refrigeration history of door gaskets and how these parts played a key role as much then as they do today.

Learn how refrigeration and its door gaskets were invented and how they changed commercial appliances over time. 

 

Who Invented the Refrigerator?

The first inventor of refrigeration was a Scottish professor, William Cullen. He invented the operational basis for refrigeration but was not credited with a usable application. Around 50 years later, notable inventors and engineers, including Benjamin Franklin and Carl von Linden, advanced appliance technology in how they cool. 

By evaporating liquid into gas, a similar version of this method is still used in modern refrigerators today. However, the type of refrigerants used continuously changed due to climate and health safety hazards. 

 

When Was the Refrigerator Invented?

 

The first refrigerator machine was invented in 1745 by William Cullen at the University of Glasgow. Appliance technology improvements were made throughout the 1800s, which started the commercial refrigeration industry. Early business adopters during this time included meat packing plants, breweries, and food distributors. 

It wasn’t until 1918 that William C. Durant mass-produced the first home refrigerator with a self-contained compressor, which sat on top of ice boxes. At this time, the widespread adoption of commercial refrigeration was a result, since it eliminated the need for non-electric ice boxes. 

Refrigeration designs continuously evolved throughout the 19th century, featuring water dispensers, colors, separate freezers, and energy-efficient cooling systems.

 

Who Invented Freezers?

American farmer and cabinet maker, Thomas Moore, was the inventor of the icebox in Philadelphia. They were manufactured as smaller insulated boxes that stored a large ice block, but required frequent replacement of ice to keep food cool since they didn’t have electricity. The history of ice boxes changed from manual ice storage to mechanical ice creation. 

The technological improvements of refrigerators resulted in the widespread adoption of residential and commercial ice boxes. 

 

When Was the Freezer Invented?

The EPA states that ice boxes were produced in the 1800s for residential use. Commercial freezers were mainly used after World War II for various food service sectors, including grocery stores, restaurants, and food processing plants.

Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, commercial walk-in coolers and freezers were developed for large-scale business use. 

 

The History of Refrigeration Door Gaskets for Commercial Appliances

Now that you know the history of the refrigerator timeline, the origins of door gaskets are lesser-known and equally important. Refrigerators originally had latches to open and close their doors instead of gaskets. 

However, due to child safety issues, the Refrigerator Safety Act (RSA) was enacted in 1956 to manufacture these appliances so that they open from the inside to prevent being trapped inside. 

Door gaskets were originally developed in the 1800s for steam engines and the automotive industry. It wasn’t until around the 1960s that door gaskets were created for refrigeration appliances to prevent child entrapment. This was accomplished by replacing latching door handles and introducing magnetic gaskets to seal the doors. 

Different gasket materials were used throughout refrigeration history, including: 

  • Cork

  • Paper

  • Leather

  • Metal

  • Sponge

  • Plastic

  • Rubber

However, most of these gasket materials were proven ineffective from damage and a weak temperature range tolerance. 

 

The Role of Commercial Refrigeration Door Gaskets Today

Commercial refrigeration door gaskets are the parts that seal their doors closed. They played a significant role throughout the history of refrigeration and still do so today. Door gaskets preserve the integrity of your food and commodities stored inside refrigerators, freezers, and walk-in coolers. 

With sealing technology, gaskets keep your appliances’ pre-set temperatures inside and block warmer external climates from seeping in. It prevents food safety issues and commodity spoilage.

Door gaskets also optimize your appliance’s energy efficiency, so they don’t have to work harder to stay cold. However, businesses must maintain their gaskets to reduce energy consumption and prevent hot air from leaking inside their commercial appliances. 

Gasket maintenance is fairly simple, as all they require is cleaning. With routine upkeep and timely repairs when necessary, commercial gaskets can last for a few years and preserve your appliance’s lifespan. 

 

Protect Your Commercial Refrigeration Commodities with Premium Door Gaskets

Commercial refrigeration appliances and the commodities you store inside are significant investments. That’s why you must find high-quality gaskets that protect them effectively to support your business’s bottom line. 

Breakaway Enterprises is a distributor and manufacturer of premium-grade commercial refrigeration gaskets. Our gasket inventory includes refrigerators, freezers, and walk-in coolers.

We have door gaskets of all shapes and sizes compatible with widely used OEM brands, like Delfield, Traulsen, Hussmann, Anthony, and Ardco, among others. 

Whether you need industrial gaskets for food service or a specific material, we have the parts that fit diverse industries. 

Don’t see the commercial door gaskets in stock? We offer custom-made gaskets that can be applied to any OEM door on the commercial market. 

Browse our stock gaskets or contact us for any questions today!

 

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