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[Audio] Dr. Jonathan Rees on Americans' Addiction to Ice and Refrigeration

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As the sweltering heat of summer persists, thoughts of sweet iced tea and frozen lemonade taunt us. But how did ice become an American necessity? Dr. Jonathan Rees of Colorado State University speaks with Kate Lochte on Sounds Good today about his new book, Refrigeration Nation, and Americans' addiction to ice.  

Ice machines first popped up in the South following the Civil War. Though they weren't incredibly efficient or cost-effective, they worked better than the pricey alternative of having ice shipped in by rail from New England. 

It wasn't until WWI that ice making became ubiquitous. Frederic Tudor, hailed as Boston's "Ice King," started giving away ice to consumers in hopes of hooking them on chilled drinks. His hopes were realized, and quickly consumers began demanding cold drinks from bartenders who then made purchasing contracts with Tudor's ice company.

While Tudor developed small thermoses to keep his customers' ice cold, ice boxes weren't widely seen until the late 19th century once people realized they could also keep perishable foods fresh. 

"There was just a general change in culture," Rees said. "People stopped claiming that ice was bad for you when they realized they could make lots of neat things with it."

Rees's description of ice making technology is simple. First, a refrigerant is boiled until it is converted into a gas. This process draws heat into the cycle and away from an adjoining area that becomes cold as the heat leaves. And so runs a refrigerator, icebox, and even air conditioning. 

Rees's book, Refrigeration Nation, collates his research to show that America is "the most refrigeration-crazy place in the world and has been for 150 years."

Through his research and writing, Rees made some discoveries about America and who we are as a nation. 

"America is a nation of convenience more than just about anything else," Rees said. "We are also a nation that loves ice in drinks and were trained to love ice in drinks since the beginning of this technology and that's persisted. I don't think that gets us down to the heart of the American character, but it does tell you something. Once we start doing something, it's unlikely that we're going to stop."

Rees's book is on sale now at Amazon.com and Johns Hopkins Press