Climate Control: A History of Heating and Cooling
The debate about climate change policy is heating up in Washington. But for those of us not on Capitol Hill, there’s always indoor heating.
So, what was life like before the age of thermostats and fossil fuels? And when did Americans come to expect a comfortable indoor climate? On this episode of BackStory, the History Guys will explore the technological and social forces that shaped that expectation, and look at the far-reaching consequences of artificial heating & cooling. And they’ll consider the connections between indoor climate control and global climate change.
Got a cool story about temperature extremes? A burning question about HVAC? Set your teeth to chattering and let us know what you think — post a comment below!
Of course, the obvious question is: how did the invention and spread of air conditioning change demographics, population trends, the growth of industry, etc.?
QuoteWhile growing up in Michigan, with its cold, wet winters and hot, humid summers, and its plague of mosquitos (which must have been far worse before the swampy land was drained), I had to wonder why anyone would have settled there. Was the climate different in the 19th century? I know it’s warmer now than in the 1960s, but what was it like in 1800s?
QuoteI recall the Laura Ingalls Wilder book, The Long Winter. Heavy snows kept the rail lines closed, and without the arrival of fresh coal, people risked death. Can it be said that the coal that allowed for the railways also allowed for the settlement of these areas without wood to provide heat?
QuoteAs we try to reduce our energy use, what lessons can we learn from how Americans heated and cooled themselves in the past, in particular with regard to housing design?
QuoteAlong the Missouri river there were areas totally denuded of trees during the late 1700 to mid 1800s due to the forts built for the fur trapping enterprises. Most of the labor in forts were spent searching for firewood and stockpiling it for winter.
QuoteI’ve always been curious how people survived extreme temperatures – especially women in those long dresses — How did people survive the heat working the fields in the plantations in the south, the wagon trains in the desert, the Antartic…not just for a day or two but for years! How did they physically manage everything? And what were the long term effects on their health and emotions?
QuoteHey, guys. Great topic!!!
I’m a professional mechanical engineer in southern california, so I design HVAC systems for commercial buildings.
One story I’ve always loved from history is about the “Alphabet buildings”. See, before the advent of commercial HVAC, architects had to make sure that everyone in a building was within about 20 feet of an openable window. So, if you looked at them from the sky, they all looked like Os, Us, Ts, Is, As, of Hs.
I try to tell my architect clients this, but they don’t really seem to care. But, if you think about it, before the 20s, you’d never be able to build a structure that’s 100ft by 100ft. The poor souls in the midde would suffocate and burn up!! Even in the winter!
Of course, nowadays, its all about energy. The HVAC system is a big user of energy. But, its an even bigger accountant of energy. Every kw that you use in your building has to get shuffled around by your HVAC system.
Someone also mentioned that history could teach us some lessons on building energy. Boy, it sure could. How about this one: Don’t build glass boxes, they focus the sun’s energy into the building like magnifying glasses do to ants. Sadly, nobody wants to hear that…. glass buildings are so pretty.
I can’t wait to hear this show!
QuoteI wonder whether the fear of Washington summers played into the legislative effectiveness of FDR’s first 100 days. Since the inauguration occurred later in 1933 than it does now, 100 days would have placed Congress at the beginning of summer. FDR’s threat to keep Congress in session during the sticky Washington summer might have seemed formidable in an era before air conditioning, and contributed to the alacrity with which it passed laws.
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