Refrigerators, as we know them today, were not available in old times. The modern electric refrigerator, powered by electricity and using vapor compression refrigeration, was invented in the early 20th century. The first commercially successful electric refrigerator was introduced in 1913 by Fred W. Wolf in the United States.
Before the advent of modern refrigerators, people used various other methods to preserve food and keep it cool. Here are a few examples:
Icehouses: In some regions, especially in wealthier households or communities, icehouses were constructed. These were insulated structures that stored natural ice harvested during winter or imported from colder regions. The ice was packed with straw or sawdust to keep it from melting too quickly. Iceboxes were smaller containers used in homes to store perishables, and they were filled with ice obtained from icehouses.
Springhouses: Springhouses were small buildings built near natural springs. The flowing water from the spring kept the interior of the springhouse cool, and people would store perishable food items inside to slow down spoilage.
Root cellars: These were underground storage areas, often found in rural homes, where people would store root vegetables, fruits, and other perishables. The underground location provided a more stable and cool environment compared to the outside temperature.
Pot-in-pot coolers: In certain cultures, people used a simple evaporative cooling technique. They would place a clay pot within a larger clay pot and fill the space in between with wet sand. As the water in the sand evaporated, it would cool the inner pot and its contents.
These methods were effective to some extent in preserving food, but they did not offer the same level of convenience and temperature control that modern refrigerators provide. The widespread use of electric refrigerators began in the mid-20th century, transforming the way people store and preserve food.