We may
take our heating and air for granted sometimes (maybe not when we’re shivering
in the movie theatre or sweating it out in the summer!) but the history of
ventilation has been a fascinating one, full of innovations to make humans more
comfortable indoors.
Looking
back at the first designs of heating and air, we’ll never take the chilly rush
of air in the office for granted again.
Historical HVAC Facts:
In 1906 North Carolina textile manufacturer came up with the phrase “air conditioning” because the technology actually improved the quality and condition of the cloth being made in his plant
In 1903, the New York Stock Exchange building in New York City was one of the first structures to use an air conditioning system.
The Romans were the first civilization to use any type of warm-air heating system.
The first concept of air conditioning occurred 500 years ago when Persians built wind towers to try to get the same effect as air conditioning. These towers were rigged with wind scoops to catch prevailing breezes. Internal vanes circulated that air throughout the buildings while forcing hot air out. This was especially handy considering the 100+ degree temperatures during summer.
Radiant heat isn't a new concept. The Romans had something very similar where the floors were laid out as a series of stone slabs with a heat source located below the floor.
The very first steam-heating system installation was in England so the Governor of the Bank of England could grow grapes in the cool temperatures.
In 1936, Packard was the first automobile manufacturing company to incorporate air conditioning in passenger cars.
Before air conditioning was common, many businesses and government offices took a summer vacation.
