Why we need a Refrigeration, Air-Conditioning and Heat-pump Calendar

April 15th - This day in RACHP history

Today, April 15th (1710) is William Cullen’s birth date. You may be wondering who William Cullen was? If you work in the refrigeration, air-conditioning, and heatpump (RACHP) industry William Cullen is a name that you should know, but probably don’t.

William Cullen is important and should be remembered because the first recorded example of artificial refrigeration was demonstrated by Dr. Cullen at the University of Glasgow in 1748, although not used for any practical purpose at the time.

By the time of his death in 1790 William Cullen had long been recognised throughout Britain, Europe and the Americas as the most influential physician of his generation; an experimental chemist, learned physician, successful practitioner, generous mentor, and popular university lecturer, whose students included Joseph Black, who on Cullen’s recommendation, succeeded him as a lecturer in Chemistry at the University in 1756.

Building upon Cullen’s teachings and mentoring, Joseph Black's own Chemistry lectures attracted large audiences and he was able to persuade the University authorities to equip a new, improved laboratory. He made many of his greatest discoveries while working at the University, identifying carbon dioxide and researching into latent and specific heat.

Joseph Black visiting James Watt in his University of Glasgow workshop. ?Photos.com/Jupiterimages

Hidden industry

If you hadn’t heard of William Cullen previously, you are not alone. At a recent industry event I asked a large number of those present if they had heard of Dr Cullen; not a single one had.

RACHP technologies and applications have evolved out of a human requirements for food, comfort and thermal processes, with a history dating back centuries, but it remains a long-standing frustration for those working within the industry that it is not widely recognised that modern life could not exist without it, nor is there any appreciation by wider society of the skills and knowledge employed on a daily basis by industry professionals.

Refrigeration has such a long and fascinating history full of inventors, engineering pioneers, scientists, and industrial entrepreneurs from around the world, all of whom deserve to be recognised and remembered for their valuable contribution.

If we are to successfully raise awareness of this industry to the wider public, we mustn’t ignore our history. Today, April 15th is the birth date of William Cullen. Let’s tell people what he did and why it is important. Tomorrow, April 16th (1728) is Joseph Black’s, and April 17th (1816) is James Harrison, the Scottish-Australian newspaper printer, journalist, politician, and pioneer in the field of mechanical refrigeration,....... and so the days of the year go on: full of important stories and significant and wonderous achievements and discoveries.

Does the RACHP industry have 365 days worth of significant historical dates?

We have a wonderfully diverse industry, rich in technical and scientific marvels, made possible by amazing people both today and in the past. Its time to tell their stories. Enough to fill a full year , all 365 days? You tell me?

Please send me suggestions to me and we will include them as part of the World Refrigeration Day* initiative.  

I look forward to hearing from you. Any suggestions for April 18th?

*World Refrigeration Day is an initiative to raise awareness and understanding of the significant role that the industry and its technology play in modern life and society. World Refrigeration Day has been established as June 26th annually, with other supporting initiaves such as the RACHP Calendar taking place throughout the year.