This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor: Tom Lawrence
John Gorrie (1803-1855), an early pioneer in the invention of the artificial manufacturing of ice, refrigeration, and air conditioning. He was granted the first U.S. patent for mechanical refrigeration in 1851. His apparatus, initially designed to cool yellow fever patients, was an expanding-air cooling machine, similar in concept to the modern refrigerator. Impoverished, Gorrie sought to raise money to manufacture his machine, but the venture failed after the death of his partner. Embarrassed by public criticism and skepticism, financially ruined, and ill, Gorrie ultimately died in seclusion. The original model of this machine and scientific articles written by Gorrie are on display at the Smithsonian Institution, in Washington, D.C.
Cutler Cleveland (Lead Author);Tom Lawrence (Topic Editor) "Gorrie, John". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth February 26, 2008; Last revised Date February 26, 2008; Retrieved May 23, 2012 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Gorrie,_John>
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The Encyclopedia of Earth Cutler J. Cleveland is the founding Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Earth. Dr. Cleveland is currently a Professor in the Department of Geography and Environment at Boston University, with joint appointments in the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies and the Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer Range Future. He also is a Senior Fellow at the National Council for Science and the Environment in Washington D.C. Dr. Cleveland is als ... (Full Bio)
John Gorrie (1803-1855), an early pioneer in the invention of the artificial manufacturing of ice, refrigeration, and air conditioning. He was granted the first U.S. patent for mechanical refrigeration in 1851. His apparatus, initially designed to cool yellow fever patients, was an expanding-air cooling machine, similar in concept to the modern refrigerator. Impoverished, Gorrie sought to raise money to manufacture his machine, but the venture failed after the death of his partner. Embarrassed by public criticism and skepticism, financially ruined, and ill, Gorrie ultimately died in seclusion. The original model of this machine and scientific articles written by Gorrie are on display at the Smithsonian Institution, in Washington, D.C.
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