The Ice That Could
Ice is best thing that the Food industry could take advantage of to preserve perishable foods. The meat and transportation industries benefit the most because meat has to be stored at cool temperatures and the truck drivers do not have to rush to reach their destination. Without ice this world would not be able to cool down or store food. But in 1935 Frederick McKinley Jones made sure everyone across the country could enjoy gourmet cuisine.
Frederick Jones was born in in
Covington, Kentucky near Cincinnati, Ohio on on May 17, 1893. He was a
trained mechanic, a skill he learned doing military service in France
during World War. His mastery of electronic devices was largely
self-taught, through work experience and the inventing process.
Frederick McKinley Jones was one of
the most prolific Black inventors ever. Frederick Jones patented more
than sixty inventions, however, he is best known for inventing an
automatic refrigeration system for long-haul trucks in 1935 (a
roof-mounted cooling device). Jones was the first person to invent a
practical, mechanical refrigeration system for trucks and railroad cars,
which eliminated the risk of food spoilage during long-distance
shipping trips. The system was, in turn, adapted to a variety of other
common carriers, including ships. Frederick Jones was issued the patent
on July 12, 1940 (#2,303,857).
Without the contribution of Mr. Frederick McKinley Jones, then my favorite Omaha Steaks would never get to me fresh. The next time you open up your freezer think about Frederick Jones.