Freezer History - Back to the Ice Age

We use appliances everyday without really thinking too much about it. Grabbing the milk from the fridge for a cup of tea, piling plates into the dishwasher or heating something on the hob, we all use modern appliances without a thought about their history and how they came to assist us in everyday life.

Before the 1970’s freezers were seen as more of a luxury item, frozen foods were not a necessity and were not widely available therefore freezers were not a common appliance. However, as we all know, technology doesn’t wait for long and during the 70’s freezers were further developed and became more affordable and accessible to all.

People started to realise how beneficial freezers really were allowing them to store foods for longer periods of time without it being ruined also people could buy foods in bulk meaning less trips back and forth to stores to buy fresh foods.

If only Alexander the Great had access to a freezer after his conquest of Egypt in 345 BC, he instructed for 15 trenches to be dug and filled with snow from higher grounds so he could mix it with fruit or berry juices. I bet nowadays with a big chest freezer Alexander would be more than happy with how much room there is to store his icy treats!

So next time you empty your weekly shop into the freezer, spare a thought for how much technology has advanced to allow you to store chilled food conveniently and efficiently in your home and how much selection there is in our supermarkets ready for us to take away.