Honestly with Bari Weiss Breaking History: The Invention That Changed Everything
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Aug 26, 2025 In a fascinating conversation, Salvatore Basile, author of "Cool: How Air Conditioning Changed Everything," dives into the transformative power of air conditioning. He reveals how this once-luxury invention boosted productivity by supporting summer factory operations and reshaped America’s demographics by making harsh climates livable. From its quirky beginnings in a Brooklyn printing plant to its status as a cultural necessity, Basile discusses AC’s profound impact on society and even its role in political landscapes, all while offering engaging anecdotes.
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Childhood Moment Sparks Lifelong Fascination
- Salvatore Basile recounts how his aunt bought two air conditioners in the 1960s and became the family's social magnet.
- He discovered air conditioning as a child and called it "the best invention in the universe."
Carrier's 1902 Breakthrough Made Year-Round Industry
- Willis Carrier combined refrigeration and humidity control to solve printing press problems in 1902.
- His patent "Apparatus for Treating Air" enabled factories to run year-round and launched modern AC.
Productivity, Not Comfort, Drove Early Adoption
- Early factories adopted AC for production reasons, not worker comfort.
- AC improved manufacturing tolerances and reduced absences, boosting profits and productivity.
