Who built the first practical vapor compression refrigeration system?

The first practical vapor compression refrigeration system was built by James Harrison, a British journalist who had emigrated to Australia. His 1856 patent was for a vapour compression system using ether, alcohol or ammonia. He built a mechanical ice-making machine in 1851 on the banks of the Barwon River at Rocky Point in Geelong, Victoria, and his first commercial ice-making machine followed in 1854. Harrison also introduced commercial vapour-compression refrigeration to breweries and meat packing houses, and by 1861, a dozen of his systems were in operation.

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35 Comments

Larry Jones

Darlene Davidson, sounds like sour grapes to me. I have been playing since sometime in 2014. I see it all as a learning experience. Sometimes I use the hints; occasionally I actually know the answer. Rarely, I "cheat" and look up the answer. Regardless, just like watching Jeopardy, I have learned a great deal since playing here. My score is not very high, as that is not why I am here.

Louise C.

I really enjoy this site and I the trivia questions and learning new things. I do not always get them right, nor do I cheat, nor am I here to be on top. I don't care about my ranking, I am here to have fun and test my knowledge, for those people who constantly complain,about the questions, either write some yourself or stop whining.

Jeff Carter

Larry Jones, I agree 100%. My knowledge has grown greatly since I have been using this site despite the occasional error. My only dislikes are the childish bickerings over a disputed answer and the tiny minority of our American friends who seem to think that all questions should be about the USA.

Adele Baker

Larry Jones I absolutely agree with you, we are all here to learn! There are days my rating slips miserably as there are a run of American questions! TV shows, history, geography, sporting etc. but that's the game!

Emm Yo

I just looked it up and it is O. Evans. Ilias Tsiabardas,

Ilias Tsiabardas

Google says Oliver Evans is the inventor

Mike Hibner

Sorry, Brits, the Yanks actually built on twenty years earlier. This answer is incorrect...

Annie

Finally a good guess🥳

Eileen Dunn

Another lucky guess.

Chris Braid

Thought it was Perkins. Good Q&A.

ninakamwene

No idea

Karen Alford

Had a fridge made by General Motors when I was first married 💜

Jakob Gerber

An honest ,and humble person . Kudos Larry Jones,

Paul Backus

Larry Jones That's a really good score considering you haven't submitted any questions.

Skip Hayden

As mentioned by Jenee Todd, Jacob Perkins built a functioning v-c system in the 1830s, 20 years BEFORE Harrison. Perkins should be the correct answer

Diana Newman

Darlene Davidson, I'm really sorry that you feel like that. Perhaps this site isn't for you. If you feel so peeved about the questions and answers, then perhaps you should brush up on your general knowledge.