08-21-2009, 05:17 PM
In doing research for industries to build for my layout, I came across an interesting fact about the 1950's era that I (and several others) model. One budding industry that I've never seen mentioned (in a model railroading sense) was air conditioning. We often see the use of ice houses being modeled for this period, but AC and refrigeration were bursting onto the scene.
At a time when WWII had just ended, most were not overly concerned with "creature comforts" such as AC or refrigerators, and the raw materials needed to build them such as copper and aluminum were in scarce supply. But the boys returning home from the war had other plans. As more and more began to settle down and start families, the lead up to the Baby Boom generation of the 1960's was beginning, and more people wanted convenience items.
In 1950, Willis Carrier helped pave the way for air conditioning. By the mid-50's Lennox branched out from the heating end of the spectrum and began making AC as well, even building a facility in Canada to meet demand. In 1953, AC began to re-appear in automobiles after a near 20 year hiatus. Nearly 30,000 units were shipped from automobile makers with AC installed in 1953.
Modeling this industry shouldn't be a difficult task, several structures already exist that could easily become an AC or refrigeration factory. This interesting industry would be served by several types of rail cars to handle raw materials and finished goods.
Quote:In the Jan. 29, 1951 issue of The News, it was reported that sales of household refrigerators for the first 10 months of 1950 had exceeded 5 million units.
At a time when WWII had just ended, most were not overly concerned with "creature comforts" such as AC or refrigerators, and the raw materials needed to build them such as copper and aluminum were in scarce supply. But the boys returning home from the war had other plans. As more and more began to settle down and start families, the lead up to the Baby Boom generation of the 1960's was beginning, and more people wanted convenience items.
In 1950, Willis Carrier helped pave the way for air conditioning. By the mid-50's Lennox branched out from the heating end of the spectrum and began making AC as well, even building a facility in Canada to meet demand. In 1953, AC began to re-appear in automobiles after a near 20 year hiatus. Nearly 30,000 units were shipped from automobile makers with AC installed in 1953.
Modeling this industry shouldn't be a difficult task, several structures already exist that could easily become an AC or refrigeration factory. This interesting industry would be served by several types of rail cars to handle raw materials and finished goods.
Tony