Collections | Refrigeration & Air Conditioning

Using ice – when available – to keep food fresh was a drag, always melting. The new refrigeration units began to change people's lifestyles from the 1930s on. More fresh and frozen foods from all over the world, all put in that nice white appliance that contained the bitter outdoor cold indoors every day of the year – willingly! You wouldn't be without refrigeration, or air conditioning, today. Over 200 artefacts to see how they changed.

5 cu.ft. household refrigerator

Unitary Refrig and A/C Equipment and Systems - Household Cabinet Refrigerators

Accession # HHCC.2003.001

Five Cubic Foot household, Cabinet Refrigerator With Condensing Unit For Remote Mounting, Kelvinator, Circa 1926

8 cu.ft. household refrigerator

Unitary Refrig and A/C Equipment and Systems - Household Cabinet Refrigerators

Accession # HHCC.2003.002

Household, Eight Cubic Cabinet Kelvinator Refrigerator In All Porcelain Cabinet, Kelvinator,1931

4 cu.ft. household refrigerator

Unitary Refrig and A/C Equipment and Systems - Household Cabinet Refrigerators

Accession # HHCC.2003.003

Household, Four Cubic Cabinet Refrigerator, Kelvinator 1934

13 cu.ft. household refrigerator

Unitary Refrig and A/C Equipment and Systems - Household Cabinet Refrigerators

Accession # HHCC.2003.004

Household, 13 cubic Foot Refrigerator with Food Freezing Compartment, McClary, 1958

14 cu.ft. household freezer

Unitary Refrig and A/C Equipment and Systems - Household Cabinet Refrigerators

Accession # HHCC.2003.005

Household, 14 cubic Foot, Vertical Freezer, Kelvinator, 1965

Room air conditioner 'Frigidaire'

Unitary Refrig and A/C Equipment and Systems - Household Air Conditioners

Accession # HHCC.2003.006

Household, Through-the-Window, Room Air Conditioner, Frigidaire, 1956

Room air conditioner 'GE'

Unitary Refrig and A/C Equipment and Systems - Household Air Conditioners

Accession # HHCC.2003.007

Household, Through-the-Wall, Room, Air Conditioner, General Electric, 1959

Double door refrigerator

Unitary Refrig and A/C Equipment and Systems - Commercial Refrigerating Equipment

Accession # HHCC.2003.008

Nine and One Half Cubic Foot, Double door, Cabinet Refrigerator, Frigidaire, 1926

Double door refrigerator

Unitary Refrig and A/C Equipment and Systems - Commercial Refrigerating Equipment

Accession # HHCC.2003.009

Nine and One Half Cubic Foot, Double door, Cabinet Refrigerator, Frigidaire, 1926

Two tray evaporator 'CT31X'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Evaporators - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.011

Two tray, ice maker evaporator with low-side float, Cooling Unit for Household Cabinet Refrigerator, Kelvinator,1930

Two tray evaporator 'CT31X'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Evaporators - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.012

Two tray, icemaker evaporator with low-side float; white porcelain front panel and chromium control mounting, a cooling unit up-scaled for use on Kelvinator's "Yukon", a deluxe household cabinet Refrigerator, Kelvinator,1930

Two tray evaporator '1TF'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Evaporators - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.013

Two tray, icemaker evaporator with low-side float; cooling unit for household cabinet refrigerator, Frigidaire,1926

Two tray evaporator 'Norge'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Evaporators - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.014

Two tray, flooded evaporator with low-side float, modern, formed front plate and hinged door in white porcelain, decorated with black trim and built in temperature control mount; cooling unit for Norge household cabinet refrigerator, Norge, 1936.

Three tray evaporator

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Evaporators - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.015

Three tray, dry evaporator for High-side float, in formed, rolled steel and heavy white porcelain, fast freezing shelf in stainless steel, for household cabinet refrigerator, Kelvinator, 1936.

Four tray evaporator

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Evaporators - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.016

Horizontal, four tray, dry evaporator for high-side float, in formed, rolled steel and heavy white porcelain, with fast freezing shelf in stainless steel, "high tech" remote bulb temperature control, defrost and overload controllers, for use on household cabinet refrigerator, Kelvinator, 1936.

Four tray evaporator

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Evaporators - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.017

Horizontal, four tray, dry evaporator for high-side float, in formed and rolled steel and heavy white porcelain, "high tech" remote bulb temperature control with defrost and overload controllers and cabinet thermometer, for use on household cabinet refrigerator, Kelvinator, 1936.

Frozen food evaporator

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Evaporators - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.018

The Canadian refrigeration industry was moving beyond the concept of a refrigerant evaporator as "ice maker" (see item 011), to a cooling unit designed for frozen foods. Using advanced materials engineering for the period, this specimen is fabricated in stainless steel, with high conductivity, rolled and formed refrigerant passages and equipped with an automatic expansion valve, 1940.

Frozen food evaporator

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Evaporators - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.019

A precursor of the high style, amenity driven, frozen food, household refrigerator cooling unit of the middle years of the 20 th century, this one is equipped for capillary refrigerant flow control. It employs high conductivity, smoothly articulated surfaces, here executed in stainless steel, employing sophisticated engineering and manufacturing methods, here-to not available to the industry, Norge, 1942.

Replacement 2 tray evaporator

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Evaporators - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.020

A general replacement, 2 tray cooling unit for household refrigerator. A transition evaporator technology; fabricated in aluminium, using coiled, tinned copper tubing, sandwiched between aluminium plates;. equipped with Ranco type KW remote bulb temperature control, Air Coils Oakville Ont. 1946

Plate and tube evaporator

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Evaporators - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.021

Early plate and tube refrigerant evaporator, fabricated in 3/8" copper tube, with 2"x 16" rolled copper header with soldered end plates and refrigerant access port; 2 " tinned copper, brake formed fins, soldered to 16x 24", brake formed, tinned copper backing plate,1926

3 tray evaporator

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Evaporators - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.022

Three tray, ice maker evaporator with low-side float, using an early form of modular design and construction, made in tinned copper tube and brake formed copper sheet. Cooling unit and icemaker for small commercial cabinet refrigerator, Frigidaire, 1926

3 tray evaporator

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Evaporators - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.023

Three tray, ice maker evaporator with low-side float, in tinned copper tube and brake formed copper sheet, cooling unit for small commercial cabinet refrigerator, similar to #022, Frigidaire, 1926

4 tray evaporator

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Evaporators - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.024

Four tray, ice maker evaporator with low-side float, using an early form of modular construction, in tinned copper tube and brake formed copper sheet. Cooling unit with gleaming porcelain tray pulls, for small commercial cabinet refrigerator, similar to #022, #023 Frigidaire, 1926

6 tray evaporator

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Evaporators - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.025

Six tray, ice maker evaporator with low-side float, using an early form of modular construction, in tinned copper tube and brake formed copper sheet. Cooling unit with shiny tinned copper ice cube trays with gleaming polished chrome tray pulls, for large, commercial, ice maker, cabinet refrigerator, similar to the smaller items #022, #023, #024, Of the genre of the first commercial, North American ice making machine, Frigidaire, 1926

Copper tube evaporator

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Evaporators - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.026

Early copper tube and aluminium fin, static evaporator for small commercial refrigerated fixture, representative of a new, mid-century, high conductivity, high heat transfer cooling unit equipped for thermostatic expansion valve, Circa 1945

Heavy copper tube evaporator

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Evaporators - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.027

Early, heavy copper tube and fin static evaporator with double dip galvanised coating for large "walk-in" refrigerated room, equipped with low-side float and suction line chamber, for low pressure SO2 refrigerant, Frigidaire, Circa 1926

Heavy copper tube evaporator

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Evaporators - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.028

Drop-in evaporator

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Evaporators - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.029

A mid 20th century, drop-in, evaporator for farm milk can cooler, with electric motor driven water agitator, built in stove pipe configuration, circa 1950

Refrigerant flow control

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Household

Accession # HHCC.2006.041

An early, refrigerant flow control, using an automatic expansion valve principle, a pioneering contribution by Kelvinator to the embryonic years of the refrigeration industry in Canada. Handsomely executed in a 5 lb. solid cast brass body and large pressure actuated diaphragm operator, it was engineered for noxious sulphur dioxide, the then newly developed, low pressure refrigerant of choice, Model B1, Kelvinator, circa 1926.

On of a rare set of three similar valves, demonstrating the array of adaptations and applications conceived by Kelvinator for this refrigerant flow control devices, all emerging from the same basic platform. See ID #3.01-1 A, B, C, See Kevinator manuals of the period for depictions of applications and adaptations.

Refrigeration expansion valve 'B'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Household

Accession # HHCC.2006.042

One of a number of later design variants and simplifications of the early automatic, B series, expansion valve by Kelvinator [see also ID #165 & 167]. Handsomely executed in a 5 lb. solid cast brass body with large pressure actuated diaphragm operator, it was engineered for flange mounting for noxious sulphur dioxide, then the low pressure refrigerant of choice, Model B3, Kelvinator, circa 1927.

On of a rare set of three similar valves, demonstrating the array of adaptations and applications conceived by Kelvinator for this refrigerant flow control devices, all emerging from the same basic platform. See ID #3.01-1 A, B, C, See Kevinator manuals of the period for depictions of applications and adaptations.

Refrigeration expansion valve 'B'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Household

Accession # HHCC.2006.043

One of a number of later design variants and simplifications of the early automatic, B series, expansion valve by Kelvinator [see also ID #165 & 167]. Handsomely executed in a 5 lb. solid cast brass body with large pressure actuated diaphragm operator, it was engineered for flange mounting for noxious sulphur dioxide, then the low pressure refrigerant of choice, Model B2, Kelvinator, circa 1927.

On of a rare set of three similar valves, demonstrating the array of adaptations and applications conceived by Kelvinator for this refrigerant flow control devices, all emerging from the same basic platform. See ID #3.01-1 A, B, C, See Kevinator manuals of the period for depictions of applications and adaptations.

Refrigeration expansion valve 'M'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Household

Accession # HHCC.2006.044

An early, second generation, compact, spring compensated, adjustable, automatic expansion valve with solid, cast brass body, built-in inlet filter screen, original moisture protection cap in natural rubber, engineered for noxious sulphur dioxide, then the low pressure refrigerant of choice, Model M, American Injector, circa 1930.

Refrigeration expansion valve '672'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Household

Accession # HHCC.2006.045

An early, second generation, compact, spring compensated, adjustable, automatic expansion valve for use on "dry evaporators made by arguably the leader in the technology of the period, Detroit Lubricator, with cast brass body and aluminium overcoat, built-in inlet filter screen, original moisture protection cap in natural rubber, engineered for sulphur dioxide refrigerant, Model 672, Detroit Lubricator, circa 1935.

Refrigeration expansion valve '672'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Household

Accession # HHCC.2006.046

An early, second generation, compact, spring compensated, adjustable, automatic expansion valve for use on "dry evaporators made by arguably the leader in the technology of the period, Detroit Lubricator, with cast brass body and aluminium overcoat, built-in inlet filter screen, engineered for sulphur dioxide refrigerant, Model 672, Detroit Lubricator, circa 1935.

Refrigeration expansion valve '670'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Household

Accession # HHCC.2006.047

An early, compact, spring compensated, adjustable, automatic expansion valve for use on "dry evaporators", made by arguably the leader in the technology of the period, Detroit Lubricator, with heavy cast brass body, brass bellows, screw shaft adjustment seal and inlet filter screen, engineered for sulphur dioxide refrigerant, Model 670, Detroit Lubricator, circa 1932.

Refrigeration expansion valve 'C1'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Household

Accession # HHCC.2006.048

An early, compact, spring compensated, adjustable, automatic expansion valve for use on "dry evaporators", apparently manufactured for Kelvinator by the M B Company, with heavy cast brass body, flange mounted and equipped with bronze bellows, screw adjustment shaft seal, engineered for sulphur dioxide refrigerant, Kelvinator Model C1, circa 1932. One of a set of two identical valves, see Ref code 3.01-5B, ID # 173

Refrigeration expansion valve 'C1'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Household

Accession # HHCC.2006.049

Refrigeration expansion valve 'AP204'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Household

Accession # HHCC.2006.050

A mid 20th century, compact, spring compensated, adjustable, automatic expansion valve for use on "dry evaporators", with tin coated, cast brass body, flange mounting and wrench pads, finely calibrated and rated for sulphur dioxide, methyl chloride and Freon 12 refrigerant [Incomplete Assembly] Automatic Products, Model AP204, circa 1944.

Refrigeration float control 'E1'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Household

Accession # HHCC.2006.051

An early high side float control for household cabinet refrigerator, housed in refrigerant receiver and used for metering liquid refrigerant into a flooded evaporator

Model E1, Kelvinator of Canada, London Ont., Circa 1933

Refrigeration float control

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Household

Accession # HHCC.2006.052

Representative of the new generation of compact, more finely calibrated high side float controls for household cabinet refrigerators that emerged into the 1940's. Housed in a refrigerant receiver, it was used for metering liquid refrigerant into a flooded evaporator

Model unknown, Kelvinator of Canada, London Ont., Circa 1945

Refrigeration expansion valve 'LM'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Household

Accession # HHCC.2006.053

An amazingly compact, light weight [8oz.], new generation of brass body, adjustable thermostatic expansion valves, for household and small commercial equipment applications, with 30" capillary tube and bulb, designed for a methyl chloride, and beautifully engraved in script, "made for Kelvinator", Patented 1934, Model LM, Mayson Mfg. Co. Detroit. Circa 1938. [one of a matched set of two, see ID # 178]

Refrigeration expansion valve 'LM'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Household

Accession # HHCC.2006.054

An amazingly compact, light weight [8oz.], new generation of brass body, adjustable thermostatic expansion valves, for household and small commercial equipment applications, with 30" capillary tube and bulb, designed for a methyl chloride, Patented 1934, Model LM, Mayson Mfg. Co. Detroit. Circa 1938. [one of a matched set of two, see ID # 177, similar to ID #177 without Kelvinator markings]

Refrigeration expansion valve 'N'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Household

Accession # HHCC.2006.055

An early automatic, adjustable expansion valve, a pioneering contribution by Frigidaire to the embryonic years of the refrigeration industry; housed in a 4 lb. solid cast brass body with integral two point mounting bracket, with galvanised over coat; pressure actuated 2 inch diaphragm; engineered for sulphur dioxide, the then newly developed, low pressure refrigerant of choice; Model N, Frigidaire, circa 1929. [On of a set of two, see #ID 180]

Refrigeration expansion valve 'N'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Household

Accession # HHCC.2006.056

Refrigeration expansion valve 'S'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Household

Accession # HHCC.2006.057

A Second generation, Frigidaire, automatic, adjustable expansion valve; housed in a 4 lb. solid cast brass body with galvanised over coat; with integral two point mounting bracket, inlet screen and Bakelite moisture proof cap; pressure actuated bellows design; engineered for sulphur dioxide or Freon 12 refrigerant; Model S, Frigidaire, circa 1934.

Refrigeration expansion valve '33'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Household

Accession # HHCC.2006.058

A compact, fully adjustable, late pre WW II, automatic expansion valve by a new generation of manufacturers drawn to the now rapidly expanding market for refrigeration and air conditioning products, factory sealed, with inlet screen, Fedders, Model 33, circa 1938.

Refrigerant flow control 'EB4885'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2006.059

An early low-side float, liquid refrigerant flow control, in deep draw copper header, with brass float valve assembly mounted on eight bolt brass flange, with heavy galvanised over coat, designed for four-pass fin coil cooling unit; Frigidaire, EB4885, circa 1929.

Refrigeration expansion valve 'TS10'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2006.060

An early, adjustable thermostatic expansion valve, housed in a 4 lb. solid cast brass body with galvanised over coat; thermal power element and 4 ft. capillary tube; engineered for sulphur dioxide and a new generation of forced air cooling unit applications. It would appear much like the company's earlier Model S automatic expansion valve, on which it was patterned; Model TS10, Frigidaire, circa 1932. [On of a set of two, see #ID 185]

Refrigeration expansion valve 'FTS'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2006.061

An early, adjustable thermostatic expansion valve, housed in a 4 lb. solid cast brass body with galvanised over coat; thermal power element and 4 ft. capillary tube; engineered for the new Feon 12 refrigerant and a new generation of forced air cooling unit applications. It would appear much like the company's earlier Model S automatic expansion valve, on which it was patterned; Model FTS, Frigidaire, circa 1932. [On of a set of two, see #ID 184]

Refrigeration expansion valve '671-M'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2006.062

An early, compact, adjustable thermostatic expansion valve made by arguably the leader in expansion valve technology of the period; with brass body, "high tech." Bakelite cover plate, power element and 4 ft. capillary tube, for methyl chloride refrigerant; patterned off the company's earlier, Model 670, automatic expansion valve; Model 671- M, Series-2, Detroit Lubricator, circa 1936.

Refrigeration expansion valve '673-M'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2006.063

A mid 20th century, thermostatic expansion valve, a work horse of the Canadian refrigeration industry through much of the later part of the century, double bellows construction with wide range superheat adjustment, widely used by original refrigeration equipment manufacturer and for replacement work; made in a wide range of capacities for methyl chloride, Freon 12 and 22, power element and 5 ft. capillary tube, Model 673- M, Detroit Lubricator, circa 1946. [1 of a set of 2, seeID# 188]

Refrigeration expansion valve '673-M'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2006.064

A mid 20th century, thermostatic expansion valve, a work horse of the Canadian refrigeration industry through much of the latter part of the century, double bellows construction with wide range superheat adjustment, widely used by original refrigeration equipment manufacturer and for replacement work; made in a wide range of capacities for methyl chloride, Freon 12 and 22, power element and 5 ft. capillary tube, Model 673- M, Detroit Lubricator, circa 1946. [1 of a set of 2, seeID# 187]

Refrigeration expansion valve 'Peerless'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2006.065

A mid to late 20th century, high capacity thermostatic expansion valve, for methyl chloride refrigerant; a special marker of the time when this refrigerant was still being specified by commercial refrigeration system manufacturers, in advance of the wave of conversion to chlorinated hydrocarbon refrigerants, Freon 12 and 22; in heavy, plated brass body with superheat adjustment, highly decorated it would represent an emerging new styling idiom for component part manufacturers, by a late 20th century newcomer to the field, Peerless, 1948.

Refrigeration expansion valve '207'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2006.066

An amazingly compact, mid capacity, mid to late 20th century, thermostatic expansion valve designed to meet the needs of an increasingly wide range of packaged, compact, commercial refrigeration applications, for methyl chloride and Freon 12 refrigerants, Model 207, Automatic Products Co., Mil., Circa 1945 [1 of a set of 2, see ID#191]

Refrigeration expansion valve '207'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2006.067

Refrigeration expansion valve '671-M'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2006.077

An early, compact, adjustable thermostatic expansion valve made by arguably the leader in expansion valve technology of the period, beautifully crafted with brass body, "high tech." Bakelite cover plate, similar to item ID #186 and #202, but differently fitted with 14 inch remote bulb power element, and flare connection; part of this company's impressive stable of valves, patterned off its earlier, Model 670, automatic expansion valve; Model 671- M, Series-2, Detroit Lubricator, circa 1936.

Refrigeration expansion valve '671-M'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2006.078

An early, compact, adjustable thermostatic expansion valve made by arguably the leader in expansion valve technology of the period, beautifully crafted with brass body, "high tech." Bakelite cover plate, similar to item ID #186 and #201, but differently fitted, this model licensed under patent to Universal Cooler Corp.; part of an impressive stable of valves, patterned off Detroit Lubricator's earlier, Model 670, automatic expansion valve; Manufacturer's name given here as American Radiator, Model 671- M, Series-1, circa 1936.

Refrigeration expansion valve 'Fedders'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2006.079

An early, large, heavy body, adjustable thermostatic expansion by Fedders, marking the entrance of another national supplier to the commercial refrigeration field, during its first period of rapid expansion in the mid 1930's; fitted with 4 foot remote bulb power element, with brown Bakelite shell and tinned brass body, with severe stress marks indicating something of its difficult life's journey, Fedders, circa 1934.

Refrigeration expansion valve 'small-body'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2006.080

An early, small body, adjustable thermostatic expansion fitted with 4-foot remote bulb power element, with brown Bakelite shell and brass body, with stylish, partially obliterated, decal in red and gold, manufacturer yet to be determined based on existing body markings, circa 1936.

Refrigeration expansion valve '673'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2006.081

An early version of the 20th century, classic 673, Detroit Lubricator thermostatic expansion, made in a wide range of capacities for sulphur dioxide, methyl chloride, Freon 12 and 22; the work horse of the Canadian refrigeration industry through much of the m, latter part of the 1900's; with classic brass body and brown Bakalite shell, power element, 5 ft. capillary tube, and adjustable superheat, widely used by original refrigeration equipment manufacturer and for replacement work, Model 673 - Series 5A 34, Detroit Lubricator, circa 1935. [See also ID# 187, 188]

Refrigeration expansion valve 'TEV'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2006.082

An early mid 20th century, adjustable thermostatic expansion valve, housed in a 4 lb. solid cast brass body with galvinized overcoat and classic brown Bakelite casing; thermal power element and 4 ft. capillary tube; the TEF series, engineered for the new Freon 12 as well as SO2 applications, superseded the TS series, being more compact and better sealed against moisture; recommended for multiplexed applications popular in the period; Model TEV, Frigidaire, circa 1936. [1 of a set of 2, see ID# 207]

Refrigeration expansion valve 'TEV'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2006.083

Refrigeration expansion valve '893'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2006.084

By the middle of the 20th century, the pressure was on for a new generation of compact thermostatic expansion valves to meet the growing market for small commercial refrigeration appliances. The 893, designed for this market, would raise eyebrows, with high style nameplate in bright chrome with blue highlighting. A sign of the times, Detroit would soon replace it with the even more compact design, the 777, Model 893, Detroit Lubricator, circa 1952.

Refrigeration expansion valve '207C'

Refrigerant Flow Controls - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2006.085

Representing AP's new generation of further compacted thermostatic expansion valves designed to meet the needs of a new generation of small commercial refrigerated appliances, for methyl chloride and Freon 12 refrigerants, Model 207C, Automatic Products Co., Mil., Circa 1950 [see also ID#189,190 and 208]

Coil spring condensing unit

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.030

A second generation, coil spring mounted medium speed, condensing unit with belt driven, single cylinder, reciprocating compressor, copper tube and finned, single pass air cooled condenser and 4 lb refrigerant receiver, with 1/6th HP electric motor. A refrigerating machine for the Canadian home, with a new sense of quiet that it would be characteristic of the best of the industry's offerings in the early growth years of the household refrigerator in Canada. Designed and manufactured by an acknowledged market leader of the times with facilities in London Ontario, Kelvinator, 1930.

Coil spring condensing unit

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.031

A medium duty, second generation, coil spring mounted medium speed, condensing unit with belt driven, single cylinder, reciprocating compressor, copper tube and finned, two pass air cooled condenser, with 1/4th HP electric motor. A refrigerating machine for the large Canadian estate home, or family food store application. Like #030, it came with a new sense of quiet that would be characteristic of the best of the industry's offerings in the early growth years of the household refrigerator in Canada. Designed and manufactured by an acknowledged market leader of the times with facilities in London Ontario, Kelvinator, 1932.

Refrigeration machine

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.032

A smoothly designed mid 1930's, coil spring mounted medium speed, condensing unit with belt driven, single cylinder, reciprocating compressor, copper tube and finned, single pass air cooled condenser with 3 lb refrigerant receiver, with 1/6th HP electric motor, and a new generation of quiet 3 blade cloverleaf fan. The machine by Universal Refrigeration, demonstrates their special contribution to the design and production of refrigerating machines in Canada, in what was quickly becoming an increasingly competitive market segment, Universal Cooler Brantford Ontario, 1936.

Refrigeration machine 'Gilson'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.033

Refrigerating machinery by this manufacturer, a uniquely and distinctively Canadian company, made a special contribution to Canada's material culture of refrigerating technology. The Gilson Manufacturing Co. of Quelph Ontario was part of the new industrialism growing up in the Ontario hinterlands, between the Wars, to service the needs of rural Ontario, much less than the provinces urban elites.

Executed in the company's distinctive aqua , blue/green, tones it would be a well recognised part of the Canadian refrigeration landscape through the middle years of the 20th century - seen by many as its "golden" years. A condensing unit with belt driven, single cylinder, reciprocating compressor, copper tube and finned, single pass air cooled condenser, and 1/6th HP electric motor, it was assembled on a distinctive cast iron, foundry produced frame, a hallmark of much Gilson's production of the period, Gilson Mfg. Co, Circa 1945

Refrigeration machine 'Rollator'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.034

A "high tech" refrigerating machine of the mid 1930's, the "Norge Rollator" was a precursor of profound change in the technology offerings of the Canadian refrigeration industry. By making use of the best engineering knowledge of the times, this innovative machine both responded to public desire for a less crude mechanical monster in the kitchens of the nation, and at the same time built further expectations for what was to soon come. It was a whole new design concept, by a new generation of world class engineering companies who had entered the now rapidly expanding North American home appliance market, the Borg Warner Corporation of Sweden, Norge Division, Borg-Warner Corp. Detroit Mich, 1935.

Refrigeration machine 'Norge'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.035

As in the case of #034 this is a "high tech" refrigerating machine of the mid 1930's, a precursor of profound change in the technology offerings of the Canadian refrigeration industry. It was a whole new design concept, by a new generation of world class engineering companies who had entered the now rapidly expanding North American home appliance market, the Borg Warner Corporation of Sweden, Norge Division, Borg-Warner Corp. Detroit Mich, 1935. A special marker [See electric motor] of the momentous times through which this machine operated is the story it tells of Ontario's now almost forgotten mega project of the late 1940's, the conversion of the province from 25 to 60 cycle power.

Aberrant refrigeration machine

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.036

A condensing unit with vertically mounted, belt driven, rotary compressor, an aberrant event, a mere blips on the Canadian refrigeration industry landscape. It serves to dramatise the rich array of engineering configurations and manufacturers, many short lived, all part of Canada's early developmental "golden Age" of refrigeration technology, leading up to the 1950's. Manufacturer unknown, circa 1938

Refrigeration machine 'Sunbeam'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.037

By the mid 1930's the North American refrigeration industry was moving rapidly to the adoption of much more sophisticated engineering conceptions of what the refrigeration machine might now become, based on a decade or more of manufacturing, engineering and research experience. Moving beyond the notion of stand-alone condensing unit, a significant step was the development of condensing units with integral evaporators, close coupled, to produce a single unified refrigeration mechanism for a cabinet refrigerator. The Sunbeam Electric Mfd. Co., Evansville Ind. made a significant contribution to this important evolutionary stage of development, 1936

Refrigeration machine 'Sunbeam'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.038

A later adaptation of the Sunbeam Electric's, advanced, integrated, open system refrigeration technology, demonstrated in #037, this machine illustrates the market that the technology was able to command over half a decade or more later. Originally engineered for SO2 refrigerant, with an advanced evaporator design in formed and rolled stainless steel, this unit was further up-dated by Howard Oliver, probably in the latter 1940's, converting it to less toxic methyl chloride refrigerant - the Sunbeam Electric Mfd. Co., Evansville Ind., 1945

Hermetic refrigeration machine

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.039

By the late 1930's the North American refrigeration industry was moving rapidly to the adoption of fully "hermetic" systems, in which the motor and compressor where sealed in a single steel dome, which was connected to the evaporator in a seamless, integrated design not requiring the services of a skilled, field, refrigeration mechanic. The fully hermetic design for the household cabinet refrigerator was the next evolutionary step towards improving performance, reliability and life expectancy, all of which would increase dramatically. Kelvinator made significant contribution to the development of hermetic system design, Kelvinator of Canada, Circa 1955

Commercial refrigeration machine

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.040

An early, commercial application, air-cooled, refrigeration machine [condensing unit] by Kelvinator of Canada designed for use with anhydrous, sulphur dioxide. an early refrigerant that made possible, for the first time, small commercial refrigeration applications in food stores etc. The use of low pressure refrigerants, rather than high pressure anhydrous ammonia, opened up a vast commercial market for refrigeration equipment and, in turn, set new expectations by Canadian consumers of what was available at their local grocer and butcher shop, Kelvinator, circa 1932.

Pop cooler refrigeration machine

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.041

In characteristic red, an early, commercial application, air-cooled, refrigeration machine [condensing unit] designed and built by Kelvinator of Canada for Coca Cola pop coolers. The marketing of fresh new taste sensations was central to the creation of new consumer demands by the food and entertainment industries in the 1930's, as well as by Canadian refrigeration equipment manufacturers, Kelvinator, circa 1938.

Open system refrigeration machine

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.042

Engineered by Kelvinator, an acknowledged leader of the field, for the new generation of chlorinated hydrocarbon refrigerants, this new generation of quiet, belt driven, open system refrigeration machines for small commercial applications was equipped with medium speed, precision made, high efficiency, extended life compressors. In retrospect the series would be seen as part of the Kelvinator of Canada legacy of its mature corporate years in Canada, Kelvinator circa 1945.

Open system refrigation machine

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.043

Like Item #042, this series refrigeration machines, designed for the new generation of chlorinated hydrocarbon refrigerants, was developed by Kelvinator in the post WWII years, for small and medium sized commercial refrigeration applications. The Kelvinator SB medium speed, precision made, high efficiency, open system compressor would become a standard of engineering quality for the times . The machine, like #042, would in retrospect, be seen as part of the Kelvinator of Canada legacy of its mature corporate years in Canada, Kelvinator circa 1945.

Low-pressure refrigeration machine

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.044

With the availability of chlorinated hydrocarbon refrigerants, in the post WWII years, the demand quickly developed for larger and larger low-pressure refrigeration machines, as an alternative to ammonia systems, in this HP range. This 2 HP, water cooled, open-system machine by Kelvinator is a fine example of the genre. Like #042, and #043, it would come to be seen as part of the Kelvinator of Canada legacy of its mature corporate years in Canada, Kelvinator circa 1948.

Refrigeration machine 'H'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.045

The Frigidaire's "H" series condensing unit for small commercial applications was an essential part of the industry's "golden years" of early innovative refrigeration engineering. With a new series of compact compressors; a high tech, fully integrated condenser receiver assembly; a floating motor mount and automatic belt tightener, it was a truly innovative contribution to a new generation of quiet, more maintenance free and more user friendly refrigeration machines for the mid 1930's, letting loose a new wave of consumer expectations of what their local grocer or dairy bar might have in store for them, Frigidaire, Circa 1935

Refrigeration machine 'S'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.046

A refrigeration condensing unit, with rolled and formed steel frame, massive in appearance, given its modest capacity, the Frigdaire Model S served to perpetuate the "machinery look" of the 1920's well in to the next decade. With oval coil, static air condenser it would be recognised as a kind of icon of the engineering culture of the times, with its ideas of what a proper refrigeration machine should look like. A real time piece of the era in which it was conceived, many would still be in service 30 years later, servicing Canada's food and hospitality industries, Frigidaire, 1929

Refrigeration machine 'S'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.047

A refrigeration condensing unit, with rolled and formed steel frame, massive in appearance, given its modest capacity, the Frigdaire Model S served to perpetuate the "machinery look" of the 1920's well in to the next decade. Unlike similar Artifact #046, this machine is equipped with a 25 cycle, pre WWII, high torque, repulsion induction motor by Sangamo Electric Toronto Ont., allowing it to appear much the way it did in its early operating years, Frigidaire, 1929

Refrigeration machine 'G'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.048

The oval, copper tube, static air condenser, along with the hefty, solid look of a no-nonsense refrigeration machine seemed to be a winning formula for Frigidaire in the late 1930's, one that would be reflected and perpetuated through several years of design and production. The higher capacity Model G, with an added oval tube condenser stack, was similarly endowed to the Model S [See #046 and #047]. Also using sulphur dioxide refrigerant, the Model G would be seen in Canadian estate homes, institutions, food stores, diary bars and hospitality applications well into the 1950's, when the clear preference of the industry and its publics swung heavily to the use of non-noxious refrigerants, leaving this recognised time piece well behind, Frigidaire, 1929

Refrigeration machine 'AW'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.049

Frigidaire's model AW refrigeration machine exemplifies their engineering approach to what was referred to as "radiator type" condensing, as it was employed by the company on larger capacity condensing units [See also Model S and G, #046 - #048]. Using sulphur dioxide refrigerant, the Model AW would be seen in Canadian estate homes, institutions, food stores, diary bars and hospitality applications in higher capacity, fractional horsepower applications, well into the 1950's. Then the clear preference of the industry and its publics swung heavily to the use of non-noxious refrigerants, Frigidaire, 1932

Refrigeration machine 'F12'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.050

An early refrigeration machine, by Frigidaire designed and built for the new chlorinated hydrocarbon refrigerant of the times, "F12". A significant, transitional and transformational piece technology, moving from the use of noxious to non-noxious refrigerants, it would serve to vastly increase the market for refrigeration machines and, in turn, their impact on Canadian society and culture. It also serves as a vehicle for telling the stories of the unintended environmental consequences of the move, Frigidaire, circa 1937

Refrigeration machine 'GM'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.051

An innovative adaptation of an air-cooled refrigeration machine of the mid 1930's, attempting to make it more user friendly, less machine like, by fully enclosing it in its own ventilated cabinet. The identification plate carries the name "Frigidaire Electric Refrigerator, Product of General Motors", marking a significant, somewhat ominous step, in the maturation and pre WWII restructuring of the North American refrigeration industry. The plate also carries the corporate address of Toronto, clearly establishing the company's residency in Canada, Frigidaire, 1937

Refrigeration machine 'iron frame'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.052

A truly remarkable statement of its social and cultural times, as well as the evolutionary stage of refrigeration machine technology in Canada, in the second decade of the 20th century. Crafted as the embodiment, and the ultimate statement of the early 20th century "machine", it was a mechanical wonder in every respect. From its massive 200lbs, to its crude 1 1/4 inch angle iron frame, its lumbering 370 RPM compressor, its hefty, automatic pressure control with leavers, weights and springs, fashioned in cast iron, steel and brass, and the constant odour of sulphur dioxide, it would be a nightmare for the mechanics of the time, as they struggled to learn new trade, Frigidaire, circa 1928.

Commercial refrigeration machine

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.053

A smoothly sculptured, quiet operating, fractional horsepower, commercial application refrigeration machine, part of the mid 20th century experience of Canadian grocers, butchers and confectioners, in a period when the "hermetic" motor compressor was still 20 years in the future for most such equipment owners. The machine represents the work three leading Canadian manufactures [Universal Cooler, Brampton Ont. and Kelvinator of Canada, London Ont., and McKinnon Industries, St Catherines Ont. ] and the best Canadian trade practice of the 1950's, Universal Cooler, 1955

Refrigeration machine 'UC'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.054

A typical, 1/4 HP, open-system refrigeration machine by Universal Cooler Brantford Ont., a recognised, prominent leader during the Canadian industry's, historic, golden age of refrigeration equipment manufacturing, It admirably represents the increasingly ubiquitous, yet unobtrusive, and largely unsung, commercial refrigeration applications of the 1950's and 60's. Stuffed in cubby holes, dark basements, under counters and other wise unseen, it went about, non-the-less, contributing to a new world of Canadian health, safety and hygiene, while providing new taste delights in the food markets of the nation, Universal Cooler, 1958

Refrigeration machine 'Tecumseh'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.055

In the middle years of the 20th century Tecumseh and their related Chieftain products were leaders in "unbranded" Canadian refrigeration machines appearing in the Canadian market place, as represented here by this 1/3 HP, 2 cylinder, air-cooled, open-system machine. Tucked away, out of public view, in food stores restaurants and similar applications across the nation, such machines would quietly go about contributing to historic changes in the daily lives of Canadians throughout those defining, middle years, Tecumseh Products, 1956.

Refrigeration machine 'Gilson'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.056

Among the proliferation of refrigeration machine manufacturer in the explosive market years of the mid 20th century, a few uniquely Ontario, entrepreneurial, family companies stood out, including the Gilson and Woods companies of Quelph and Robert Elder of Toronto. This I/4 HP, unsophisticatedly engineered machine by Gilson would help establish them as a kind of venerated cultural icon of the period, in rural and small town Ontario, Gilson, 1954

Refrigeration machine 'Brunner'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.057

A classic piece of mid 20th century, Toronto built, heavy duty, no nonsense, open-system, refrigeration machinery by a Canadian manufacture, well recognised for its unique Canadian engineering solutions and contributions to commercial and industrial refrigeration process applications, Brunner, 1952.

Refrigeration machine 'Silver King'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.058

A refrigeration machine by a small, long-gone, Toronto manufacturer, hoping to get a share of the developing market for such machines in the industry's golden growth years of 20th century. The appeal was typically to a small niche market, likely here to the rural Ontario market for, milk can, cooling equipment, Silver King, 1953

Refrigeration machine 'Elder'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensing Units - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.059

Applications engineering, like the science and technology it depend on for inspiration, is moved from time to time by creative new ideas, ones that fundamentally alter traditional approaches. The idea of engineering a refrigeration machine in which the compressor is placed on top of the motor, instead of beside it, in order to better fit the space available in a self-contained refrigerated fixture, is just such an inspirational idea, here by a small Ontario company in its distinctive orange, Robert Elder Ltd. Toronto, 1956

50 lb. SO2 compressor

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.087

An early, crude piece of industrial looking machinery, this 50 lb. compressor was made in Brantford Ont. It comes as close to marking the beginning of the Canadian refrigeration manufacturing industry, as may be possible. Accompanied by the odour of sulphur dioxide, it would be tentatively accepted into Canadian households in the mid 1920's with much trepidation and often discomfort., Frigo-Matic Ltd., Brampton Ont., 1926

50 lb. SO2 compressor

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.088

Early SO2 compressor

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.089

An early, crude compressor, possibly part of the earliest commercial production by Kelvinator marketed in Canada. Like the Frigo-Matic [see #087 and 088] it marks the earliest, embryonic years of the Canadian refrigeration industry. It too would be tentatively accepted into Canadian households in the mid 1920's with much trepidation and often discomfort. It brought new noises, foreign to home life and often the odour of sulphur dioxide throughout the household, as well as frequent visits from the refrigeration serviceman, 1926

'J' style compressor

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.090

Moving with the market, and with a new sense of what it would take to put a refrigerator in every Canadian household, the industry quickly moved beyond its crude beginnings. If the mechanical refrigeration machine, with clanking reciprocating compressor, was to be acceptabled into the homes of the nation, it must be much smoother, quieter and appear more friendly to the householder. The later "J" style Kelvinator, engineered for higher speed and greatly reduced mass [50 to 30 lbs.], would be a significant step along the way, Kelvinator of Canada, 1929.

Model 'A' compressor

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.091

By the early 1930's the Canadian refrigeration industry was moving beyond its embryonic years into a period of early development. Compressors were becoming much more "domesticated" in appearance, as pioneer manufacturers, such as Kelvinator, moved confidently into what appeared to be a promising, growing market. The Kelvinator Model A, still faster and smaller, would help to move the cabinet refrigerator into middle class and working Canadian homes [see #003], well beyond the exclusive realm of the country's elite, Kelvinator 1932.

Model 'A' compressor

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.092

Chlorinated hydrocarbon compressor

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.093

Designed for the new chlorinated hydrocarbon refrigerants, and with advanced valve design and over all performance, this open style, belt driven compressor of the mid 1930's, developed by Kelvinator for its household, cabinet refrigerators, would be about as good as a compressor gets. It provided the householder with a new sense of quiet that would be characteristic of the best of the industry's offerings, prior to the imminent introduction of the sealed "hermetic" motor compressor, Kelvinator, 1935

Light weight compressor

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.094

The 1920s and 30s were periods extra-ordinarily obsessed with the promise of the piston and the reciprocating machine, whether manifest in the steam or internal combustion engine or in the refrigeration compressor. Inventors were constantly at work attempting to improve its performance, while reducing its cost. In the refrigeration industry inventors and start-up companies worked assiduously, producing a wide range of engineering designs and market options, which together would significantly alter the lives of Canadians. With many distinguishing features, this early, petit, light weigh, unusual compressor design is by the Brunner Manufacturing Co. of Utica N.Y., circa 1927 [See also #057, item 402-19]

Compressor 'Brunner'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.095

By the latter half of the 1930's there were an increasing number of manufacturers all bargaining for a spot in the now rapidly expanding, but increasingly over crowed North American, domestic refrigeration market. It left many of its founders such as Kelvinator and Frigidaire struggling for survival. It was soon evident that marketing, in addition to sound, innovative engineering was needed. The Brunner Manufacturing Co. would leave the domestic field to focus on its commercial and industrial markets, leaving behind this historic examples of a well engineered compressors, as marker of times past, Brunner, circa 1939 [see also #94 and Group 5.02 items]

Compressor 'Moffat'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.096

A single cylinder refrigeration compressor of early mid 20th century vintage, with "Moffat Ltd" embossed on the head. Crafted after the clean lines of the "Chieftain" compressor, Tecumseh Products Co., with 11-inch flywheel in red, over painted in black. its genealogy is uncertain. A reminder of the proliferation of compressor manufacturers, near manufacturers and models that flooded the market for small, FHP, open system refrigeration compressors in the 1940, prior to the wide spread adoption of the hermetically sealed motor compressor assembly, "Moffat Ltd" 1945.

Replacement compressor 'Chieftain'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.097

CHIEFTAIN MID 20TH CENTURY,REPLACEMENT COMPRESSOR, TECUMSEH PRODUCTS, 1949: A single cylinder, FHP, open market, general replacement refrigeration compressor of the late 1940's, heavily marked throughout the trade as a replacement for worn out original equipment, much of it by now 10 to 20 years into its life cycle. With vastly reduced size and weight, with forced feed lubrication, it was the result of superior engineering and much more precise manufacturing processes, than those 2 decades earlier. Many refrigeration machines bearing the names of Kelvinator and Frigidaire would live out their latter years with a Chieftain compressor upgrade.

Single cylinder compressor 'Type A'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.098

UNIVERSAL COOLER, TYPE "A" COMPRESSOR, 1949: A single cylinder, FHP, original equipment manufacturer's [OEM's], refrigeration compressor of the mid 20th century, just prior to the wide spread adoption of hermetic motor compressors. Astonishingly small, lightweight, and operating at elevated speeds, it stands as an historic marker of the advancements in open system compressor design and performance by OEM's over two decades from the late 1920's.

Compressor 'ILG'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.099

ILG, SINGE CYLINDER, FHP, REFRIGERATION COMPRESSOR, 1940: A remarkable, truly innovative, piece of refrigeration engineering of the early mid/ 20th century, from its cast aluminium body to its eccentric mechanism, valve design, and distinctive green, high gloss enamel finish, it was meant to raise eyebrows. Making use of the new materials and engineering know-how of the times, it is a reminder of the diversity and immense inventiveness of this period of rapid growth, all part of the rich heritage of HVACR's engineering applications, on which the industry now builds.

Twin cylinder compressor

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.100

AN EARLY, FRIGIDAIRE, TWIN CYLINDER COMPRESSOR, FOR HOUSEHOLD CABINET REFRIGERATOR, 1929: equipped with a unique,massive, 14", fan hub, "grooved", flat belt flywheel, re-cast for "V" belt drive. The machine stands as an historic marker of the fundamental shift from flat to V belts in the first quarter of the 20th century, and the evolution in the engineering and manufacture of the V belt that made it possible.

Compressor 'Model G'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.101

A FRIGIDAIRE, MODEL G, TWIN CYLINDER, 1/4 HP, ULTRA SLOW SPEED COMPRESSOR, 1929: With 16" flywheel, operating at 350 RPM, this compressor, used in large cabinet refrigerators, would stand as a kind of "metaphor", a shortcut in language, standing for an historic genre of high displacement, slow speed compressors for sulphur dioxide refrigerant, part of the design idiom of the time, dictated by conservative engineering preference, limited know-how, materials and manufacturing methods.

Compressor 'Model A'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.102

A FRIGIDAIRE, MODEL A, TWIN CYLINDER, 1/4 HP, COMPRESSOR, DISTINGUISHED, BY ITS FLAT SURFACED FLYWHEEL, DESIGNED FOR "V " BELT DRIVE, 1931: With reduced, 12", flat flywheel, engineered for V belt operation, this compressor stands as an historic marker of two simultaneous trends in refrigeration machine engineering, the shift to modest increases in machine speed and the cautious transition to fully engineered V belt drives, based on the company's cumulative engineering experience of the day.

Early, slow speed compressor

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.103

AN EARLY, SLOW SPEED, HIGH DISPLACEMENT, FHP, REFRIGERATION COMPRESSOR OF UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER, 1932: It serves to dramatise the rapid expansion of the refrigeration machinery manufacturing industry, with many new, now long forgotten, start-up companies in the early 1930's. As well, it suggests the proliferation of design concepts and construction methods being explored collectively by the industry, during its early growth years.

1-cylinder refrigeration compressor

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Household

Accession # HHCC.2006.202

2-cylinder refrigeration compressor 'G'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Household

Accession # HHCC.2006.203

2-cylinder refrigeration compressor 'A'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Household

Accession # HHCC.2006.204

Fractional HP compressor 'C1'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.104

A FRACTIONAL HP COMPRESSOR FOR SMALL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS, FRIGIDAIRE, MODEL C1 - With integral service valves, it would be representative of a new, early/mid 20th century, generation of smaller higher speed compressor design by Frigidaire for F12 refigerant. It would have a ubiquitous presence, although hidden away from view, in the then rapidly expanding chain of food stores and confectioneries across Canada.

Twin cylinder compressor 'SB'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.105

A FRACTIONAL HP, TWIN CYLINDER COMPRESSOR FOR SMALL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS, KELVINATOR, MODEL SB, CIRCA 1948 - Now in its sunset years, as a result of substantial restructuring within the industry, this superb piece of design would in some ways represent the peak of the company's engineering and manufacturing expertise, developed in over 40 years, by an acknowledged pioneer of the field. A moderate high speed machine designed for F12 refrigerant, it too would have a presence, hidden away from view, in the rapidly expanding network of food stores and confectioneries across Canada, starting in the 1940's

Fractional HP compressor 'A1001-5'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.106

A FRACTIONAL HP COMPRESSOR FOR SMALL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS, TECUMSEH/CHIEFTAIN, MODEL A1001-5 - A mid 20th century, open market, twin cylinder compressor, available from wholesalers acoss the country, it would be found in a myriad of applications, as a popular replacement compressor, servicing Canada's now growing after-market requirements for the maintenance of its increasing network refrigeration machine applications.

Fractional HP compressor 'DD'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.107

A FRACTIONAL HP, TWIN CYLINDER COMPRESSOR FOR SMALL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS, Universal Cooler, Type DD, CIRCA 1952 - engineered and manufactured by a principal, original equipment manufacturer [OEM] of refrigeration machines during Canada's "golden", growth years of the industry. Representative of a new, mid 20th century, generation of smaller higher speed, open system compressor design for F12 refrigerant, it too would appear ubiquitously in the then rapidly expanding network of food stores and confectionery applications across Canada.

High capacity compressor 'FFN'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.108

A FRACTIONAL HP, HIGH CAPACITY COMPRESSOR FOR SMALL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS, TECUMSEH, MODEL FFN, CIRCA 1955 - In an unusual gray/green finish, intended to suggest something new was afoot, this new generation of "high speed" compressors was equipped with 8 inch flywheel and twin V belt drive. It would turn the heads of experienced refrigeration mechanics in amazement, and herald the coming of high speed, direct drive hermetic motor compressors and the new precision and know-how required to engineer and manufacture them.

Fractional HP compressor 'SL'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.109

A FRACTIONAL HP, COMPRESSOR FOR SMALL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS, PAR, MODEL SL,CIRCA 1949 - This compressor, with distinctive configuration, was to be found on the company's open market refrigeration condensing units, widely available through refrigeration wholesalers in the middle years of the 20th century. Unremarkable in many ways, it would find its way in a number of small "designer built", trade, applications, including farm milk coolers

Fractional HP compressor 'SM'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.110

A FRACTIONAL HP, COMPRESSOR FOR SMALL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS, PAR, MODEL SM,CIRCA 1949 - This compressor, similar in outwards appearance to the Par SL [see #3109], was also to be found on the company's open market refrigeration condensing units, widely available through refrigeration wholesalers in the middle years of the 20th century. Unremarkable in many ways, it would find its way in a number of small "designer built", trade, applications, including farm milk coolers

Fractional HP compressor 'SM'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.111

A FRACTIONAL HP, COMPRESSOR FOR SMALL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS, PAR, MODEL SM,CIRCA 1949 - This compressor [like #110], similar in outwards appearance to the Par SL [see #109], was also to be found on the company's open market refrigeration condensing units, widely available through refrigeration wholesalers in the middle years of the 20th century. Unremarkable in many ways, it would find its way in a number of small "designer built", trade, applications, including farm milk coolers

Fractional HP compressor '5997'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.112

A FRACTIONAL HP, RELATIVELY CRUDELY FASHIONED COMPRESSOR FOR SMALL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS, Bruner, MODEL 5997, CIRCA 1947 - A Bruner compressor with unique head plate markings, it would be part of a genre, which while less sophisticated in its engineering than many others of the period, would be widely marketed to the trade and become a work-horse of the Canadian refrigeration industry - to be found in food stores, confectionery and farm milk cooling applications, during the middle years of the 20th century. [see also #113, 114, 115]

Fractional HP farm compressor

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.113

A FRACTIONAL HP COMPRESSOR EMPLOYED FOR FARM MILK CAN COOLING, BRUNER, MODEL UNMARKED, CIRCA 1948 - This unique compressor, with clearly documented genealogy, was employed on a farm milk cooler application, where, its eccentric mechanism having failed, was replaced by a Kelvinator model SB [see #105]. Part of a larger genre, Bruner was widely marketed to the trade to become a work-horse of the Canadian refrigeration industry, in its time. [see also #113, 114, 115]

Fractional HP compressor '5893'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.114

A FRACTIONAL HP COMPRESSOR FOR SMALL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS, BRUNER, MODEL 5893, CIRCA 1947 - Part of the long line of compressors and condensing units, it would exemplify the company's engineering and manufacturing through much of the middle years of the 20th century, where it would become a work-horse of the Canadian refrigeration industry - its products to be found in food stores, confectionery and farm milk cooling applications across the country [see also #113, 114, 115]

Fractional HP compressor '4491'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.115

A FRACTIONAL HP COMPRESSOR FOR SMALL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS, BRUNER, MODEL 4491, CIRCA 1947 - Similar to #114, it would be part of the long line of compressors and condensing units. It would exemplify the company's engineering and manufacturing through much of the middle years of the 20th century, where it would become a work-horse of the Canadian refrigeration industry - its products to be found in food stores, confectionery and farm milk cooling applications across the country [see also #113, 114, 115]

3-5 HP compressor 'T6-53'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.116

AN INTEGRAL HP COMPRESSOR (3 TO 5 HP), BRUNER CORPORATION, MODEL T6-53, Circa 1953 - A weighty and relatively crude, open system compressor, widely employed in food store applications, prior to the adoption of sealed hermetic refrigeration machines in this capacity range. Following the development of the large food chains throughout Canada in the 1950's and 60's, these machines would be found hidden away in machine rooms across the country, helping to provide Canadian's with their first large food store shopping experience.

2-3 HP compressor 'R?'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.117

AN INTEGRAL HP COMPRESSOR (2 TO 3 HP), BY FRIGIDAIRE, possibly MODEL R, CIRCA 1942 - it would be representative of a new generation of open system refrigeration compressors for F12 refrigerant, which began to emerge in the late 1930's. With a whopping 17 inch, twin V belt fly wheel, in formed and riveted steel plate, it followed the slow speed, high displacement compressor design idiom preferred by Frigidaire in the period. It would come to stand as an historic marker of the end of an epic era in refrigeration machinery engineering.

1-3 HP compressor '6R?'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.118

AN INTEGRAL HP COMPRESSOR (1 TO 3 HP), FOR SULPHUR DIOXIDE REFRIGERANT BY FRIGIDAIRE, POSSIBLY MODEL 6R, CIRCA 1936- with 16 inch flywheel, it would be come to represent the company's last years of design and production of slow speed, high displacement, open system refrigeration compressors for S02 refrigerant,

2-3 HP compressor 'R?'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.119

AN INTEGRAL HP COMPRESSOR (2 TO 3 HP), BY FRIGIDAIRE, POSSIBLY PART OF THEIR MODEL R SERIES, CIRCA 1942 - it would also be part of the company's new generation of open system refrigeration compressors for F12 refrigerant, which began to emerge in the late 1930's [see also #117]. With a 17 inch, twin V belt fly wheel, in formed and riveted steel plate, it also followed the slow speed, high displacement compressor design preferred by Frigidaire in the period, and would come to stand as an historic marker of the end of an epic era in refrigeration machinery engineering.

1 1/2-3 HP compressor '5208'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.120

AN INTEGRAL HP COMPRESSOR (1 1/2 TO 3 HP), BY KELVINATOR, MARKED # 5208, CIRCA 1928 - With water cooled head and 17 inch, 25 lb. flywheel, in Kelvinator red [possibly not the original], it would be representative of the company's early years, as well as those of the industry, in the design and production of such refrigeration machines, opening up an new epic period, providing for the first time automatic, mechanically cooled, commercial food storage for Canadians.

1 1/2-3 HP compressor '5208'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.121

AN INTEGRAL HP COMPRESSOR (1 1/2 TO 3 HP), BY KELVINATOR, MARKED # 5208, CIRCA 1928 - With water cooled head it would be representative of the company's early years, as well as those of the industry, in the design and production of such refrigeration machines, opening up an new epic period, providing for the first time automatic, mechanically cooled commercial food storage for Canadians.

1-2 HP compressor 'T'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.122

AN INTEGRAL HP COMPRESSOR (1 TO 2 HP), BY INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER, MODEL T, CIRCA 1948 - A distinctive compressor in design and styling, marketed by a "come-lately" company to the field of refrigeration machinery, a well known supplier to the Canadian agricultural sector, hoping to secure a market share in the then rapidly expanding, specialised niche market for farm milk can cooling

2-3 HP compressor 'A'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.123

AN INTEGRAL HP COMPRESSOR (2 TO 3 HP), BY UNIVERSAL COOLER, TYPE A, CIRCA 1952 - With 12 inch flywheel, designed for twin V belt drive, this twin cylinder, open system compressor, among the last of a breed, would mark the movement to increasingly higher compression speeds, a precursor of the then imminent move to direct drive, high speed hermetic motor compressor engineering.

Massive 3-5 HP compressor 'G'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Compressors - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.124

A MASSIVE, INTEGRAL HP COMPRESSOR (3 TO 5 HP), BY KELVINATOR, Model G, CIRCA 1955 - This 150 lb, compressor [refrigeration by the ton], with water cooled head, would be representative of the company's last years in the engineering and production of refrigeration compressors, as the market for refrigeration machinery was dramatically restructured both by changes in the technology and new comers to the field of refrigeration engineering and manufacture.

Air cooled replacement condenser

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensers and Receivers - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.066

An after-market, replacement air-cooled condenser manufactured for household, cabinet refrigerators and ice cream cabinets using anhydrous sulphur dioxide refrigerant. Fabricated with steel frame, 1/4inch steel tube and soldered, serpentine fin in heavy tin plate, with brazed, extended, sealed, 1/4 inch copper pigtails and SAE flare nuts, supplied by Kelvinator of Canada, London Ontario to their dealers, 1938

Two pass replacement condenser

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensers and Receivers - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.067

Staggered, two pass, after-market, replacement air-cooled condenser manufactured for household, cabinet refrigerators and ice cream cabinets using anhydrous sulphur dioxide refrigerant. Fabricated with steel frame, 1/4inch steel tube and soldered, serpentine fin in heavy tin plate, with brazed, extended, 24", sealed, 1/4 inch copper pigtails and SAE flare nuts, supplied by Kelvinator of Canada, London Ontario to their dealers, 1938

OEM condensers

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensers and Receivers - Household

Accession # HHCC.2003.068

A set of three early, "original equipment manufacturer" (OEM), fin and tube, air-cooled condensers of varying capacities, from the 1930's, representing a range of Canadian OEM engineering and fabrication practices in ferrous and non ferrous materials (copper and aluminium) for use on refrigeration machines, with anhydrous sulphur dioxide refrigerant, 1930's

Condenser assembly 'SO2'

Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensers and Receivers - Commercial

Accession # HHCC.2003.060

An historic, elemental, coiled tube, static refrigerant condenser assembly, by Frigidaire, from the early years of the low pressure, commercial refrigeration industry in Canada - originally used on Frigidaire model K, cabinet style, condensing unit, using SO2 refrigerant, see Item #051, code 4.02-13. The company later produced a modernisation kits to convert these S02 machines to forced air, tube and fin, radiator style condensing, See code 6.02-5, Frigidaire 1929