Is there a historical reason residential appliances (dishwashers, refrigerators, microwaves) were originally standardized with the sizes they are now? AskHistorians

No text found

Submitted January 29, 2018 at 12:49AM by CaptCoffeeCake http://ift.tt/2FqDfhF AskHistorians

How did turn of the century American Restaurants, such as Delmonico's, obtain and manage their inventory? AskHistorians

I have been thumbing through The Epicurean by Delmonico's head chef Charles Ranhofer and have otherwise been through a free fall of reading about it. Even by today's standards the menu is quite large and diverse.

How did they manage to get the material needed for Dinner service to downtown New York and keep it fresh? I can't seem to find what kind of refrigerator was used or if it was available for non-industrial uses at this time frame.

That was my biggest question but I'd be happy to read more material on how Delmonico's operated in this time frame.

Submitted December 20, 2017 at 10:43PM by funkbus http://ift.tt/2kPJumR AskHistorians

Before the invention of the refrigerator, how did restaurants and ready-to-eat food vendors keep their products from going bad? AskHistorians

No text found

Submitted October 07, 2017 at 04:23AM by Fl333r http://ift.tt/2gj0D6E AskHistorians

Before the invention of the refrigerator, how did restaurants and ready-to-eat food vendors keep their products from going bad? AskHistorians

No text found

Submitted October 07, 2017 at 04:23AM by Fl333r http://ift.tt/2gj0D6E AskHistorians

When the electric refrigerator was first released to consumers, were they more cost efficient than iceboxes? AskHistorians

Obviously the modern day fridge is much cheaper over time than a mechanical fridge "icebox" requiring ice delivery would be today. But were the first few models of consumer electric refrigerators efficient enough to compete price-wise with the ice box market?

Submitted September 18, 2017 at 12:03AM by imgladimnothim http://ift.tt/2wzaIla AskHistorians

How accessible was political awareness and activity throughout United States history? AskHistorians

In United States history, at times when literacy rates were lower, communication wasn't instant and from everywhere, and we did not have countless inventions to make living simple (cars, refrigerators, indoor plumbing, etc.), how easy was it to be a political aware and active citizen (i.e. have access to journalism, neighbors opinions, public debates, etc.)?

I imagine the answer is along the lines of, "Not easy for anything larger than local politics," and "Nope. Internet is a literal game changer," but I wanted to check in with the experts first, in the event there is something I am not considering.

PS - I truly apologize if this is a rule violation. I am more interested in the history of communication rather than any political thought or opinion.

Submitted June 28, 2017 at 02:30PM by RossUtse http://ift.tt/2slpmKV AskHistorians

Who invented the refrigerator? Google doesn't know! AskHistorians

Albert Einstein, Franklin Jones, some guy named Oliver. The internet doesn't seem to agree on this one. I, at the shameful age of 33, just learned how my fridge keeps my food cold. This isn't really a big deal, but I would like closure on this before I delve into the mysteries and magic of the freezer.

Submitted May 15, 2017 at 09:35AM by LA_Hot_Sauce http://ift.tt/2qHsAvK AskHistorians

How widespread was food poisoning in Europe during the Middle Ages? AskHistorians

I recently had my very first bout of food poisoning, and while perched upon the porcelain throne I got to wondering.... One might assume that, since refrigerators didn't exist and whatnot, food poisoning would be more common in the Middle Ages. But was it? Was it typically more or less severe than the food poisoning I might get from some badly-prepared Chinese takeout (ahem)? Did people ever die from food poisoning? When they did get food poisoning, was it recognized as such? Did the perception/understanding of food poisoning evolve over the course of the Middle Ages?

Submitted February 19, 2017 at 06:58PM by selanfe http://ift.tt/2l9nSTC AskHistorians

When did refrigerators become the place in the household to hang various types of papers, etc? AskHistorians

No text found

Submitted December 14, 2016 at 08:27PM by Captainj321 http://ift.tt/2h0d3ie AskHistorians

Would it have been possible/legal to adopt a complete orphan (no family anywhere at all) from off the streets without first sending them into some kind of system in Germany during the early 1900s? (Around WWI times.) AskHistorians

I'm asking because of a thing I'm writing. Fiction, obviously, and also very sci-fi/fantasy, but I want to make it as historically accurate as I can. (Which is difficult since I'm not very well-versed in history.) It feels almost too specific to put out there, but I've spent hours trying to research the invention and progression of toilets and refrigerators throughout time; can you guys make this topic a little easier for me?

Submitted November 21, 2016 at 08:11AM by Peronalodis http://ift.tt/2fJ8lYn AskHistorians

Rations and living on sea voyages in the 16th-18th century AskHistorians

I have heard about some types of food preservation, but how could a number of men survive on a boat for as long as they did? Sailing from Europe to North America, South America, India, China, etc. How did they contain/ replenish fresh water? What were the rations like? How did you go to the bathroom (#2)? They certainly didn't have a giant refrigerator or desalination machines. Were chores the only cure for boredom? I've always been curious about the logistics of these voyages. Thanks!

Submitted August 18, 2016 at 11:48PM by abides4321 http://ift.tt/2bBhY7x AskHistorians

Were people able to enjoy ice cubes in the summer before refrigerators were invented? AskHistorians

Maybe this needs scope, so let's say it's July 4th, 1776, and I've spent all day kicking Red Coat ass and I want to enjoy a glass of iced tea (because I'm innovative and also my wife won't let me have beer anymore.) Can I do it?

Let's also say I'm filthy rich.

Submitted March 05, 2016 at 09:01AM by chikindiner http://ift.tt/1Ydr9wd AskHistorians

When discussing new technology disrupting old business models, the example of ice delivery being replaced by home refrigeration often comes up. Did the ice delivery industry ever attempt to stifle refrigerator sales? AskHistorians

No text found

Submitted February 25, 2016 at 01:24AM by ch00f http://ift.tt/1LcTuRb AskHistorians

Before the invention of coolers, refrigerators, etc., how did people cool their beverages? AskHistorians

I apologize if someone already asked this.

Submitted February 14, 2016 at 09:15AM by Jared8254 http://ift.tt/1obzUdD AskHistorians

Envisioning the Past: How? AskHistorians

As I read more about history, I find myself being unable to retain a lot of the information. I've been trying to put it into a context, but I'm finding it difficult. For example: I love to hear stories about my grandfather fishing with his grandfather, how they would have an "ice chest" because refrigerators were not invented yet, and how his mother would wash clothes in a tub outside because she didn't have a washing machine. Obviously, I understand these things but I can't picture it. Everyday life was so different just 50 years ago--how can I truly understand? My college has a rich history, and I toured the mansion on the grounds. I was in this house, but I couldn't understand how they lived. How did they cook? How did they bathe? What was everyday life like? How did Hitler iron his clothes? How did people cut their hair before scissors? How do I answer questions like these?

Along this same vein, I also find it hard to wrap my head around the fact that history, to me, was modern and new to those living it. When I look at a lamp from the early 1900's I think "wow, that's so cool! It's so old and different!" But to the people who had that lamp, it was just like the lamp I have in my room right now. I've approached history learning with this backwards-looking approach, as in it's hard for me to imagine things as they were at the time. I can only understand it as it is now: old. But I want to try to think of it the way people in that time period did: as everyday, normal life.

So, I guess my question is: how can I really understand how people lived in the past?

I've been thinking that, once virtual reality really takes off, historians could use this to "recreate" historical places and atmospheres. This would be such a great learning tool!! So my other question is: can you suggest good, interactive ways to learn about history?

Submitted February 03, 2016 at 09:52PM by donaldtriumph69 http://ift.tt/1VMcQwF AskHistorians

How did people, especially those living in hot and humid areas, preserve food before the invention of refrigerators? AskHistorians

No text found

Submitted May 19, 2015 at 01:24PM by refikoglumd http://ift.tt/1L4vc6N AskHistorians

Can anyone please describe the origin and rise in popularity of frozen desserts? AskHistorians

I'm in one of those lovely nostalgia American 1950's diners drinking the best milkshake of my life and that question crossed my mind. I'm sure it has to do with the cultural importance of the refrigerator/freezer... but a full perspective on the topic would be fascinating since it will portray the dull spectrum of reasons why such an odd idea like frozen food becomes such a universally loved commodity.

Submitted May 08, 2015 at 09:13PM by gingerbeardy http://ift.tt/1RkU67b AskHistorians

How has the average American home changed with time? AskHistorians

I'm struggling to put this into an appropriate title, but I've always wondered how the average American home got to where it is today. At what point did refrigerators, dish washers, etc, become more than fancy, expensive machines and become a staple of the home/kitchen?

Submitted October 04, 2014 at 04:06AM by donteatmysandwich http://ift.tt/1rGGOXX AskHistorians