Breaking History The Birth of Cool: How Air Conditioning Changed Everything
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Aug 20, 2025 Salvatore Basile, author of *Cool: How Air Conditioning Changed Everything*, shares how air conditioning transformed society from a luxury into a necessity. He reveals the revolutionary impact of Willis Carrier's invention, altering architecture, urban planning, and even workplace productivity. The discussion delves into its role in turning movie theaters into summer retreats, changing consumer behavior. Basile also reflects on the environmental challenges of AC technology and the exciting innovations promising a sustainable future.
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Childhood Moment That Sparked A Book
- Salvatore Basile remembers being mesmerized when his Aunt Catherine bought two air conditioners in the 1960s and family parties moved to her cool living room.
- He put his hand to the grill, felt the cold air, and decided it was the best invention in the universe.
Carrier's 1902 Patent Created Modern AC
- Modern air conditioning combined mechanical refrigeration and humidity control into a single system patented in 1902.
- Willis Carrier's 'Apparatus for Treating Air' solved printing-press humidity and launched industrial adoption.
Industry Drove Early AC Adoption
- Early factories adopted air conditioning for production reasons, not worker comfort, because humidity ruined manufacturing processes.
- AC let factories run year-round and improved tolerances, drying, and productivity, offsetting its cost.
