Think about the last time the electricity went out at your home. Was one of your first thoughts, “I wonder how long the food will last in the refrigerator?” If so, you’re not alone. We don’t often think about it, but moments like that show how much we rely on refrigeration every day.

This has been true for hundreds of years. Since the early 1800s, we’ve never stopped refining temperature-controlled delivery and storage systems. Refrigerated (or reefer) trucks aren’t just convenient; they’re absolutely essential to our way of life. Keep reading to learn the history of refrigerated transport and today’s reefer trucks.

The Origins of Refrigerated Transport

Before refrigerated transportation was even an idea, people relied on underground cold storage methods for preserving temperature-sensitive items. Pits lined with ice held perishable items like meat and produce, and when further insulated with sawdust, these ice pits could insulate goods through colder months.

The ice blocks needed for cold storage were cut from nearby lakes and ponds. More systematic ice harvesting operations took off in the early 1800s, and the ice trade was a major industry throughout the 19th century. One of its most recognizable figures was the local “ice man” delivering blocks of ice via a horse-drawn wagon — the first widespread form of temperature-controlled transport. They were extremely popular; in fact, “In 1879, one company, Consolidated Ice, had 3,000 horse-drawn ice wagons delivering to consumers in New York City.”

Refrigerated railcars

Ice wagons could only carry so much cargo, and by the mid-19th century, Americans needed a more substantial and efficient cold-storage solution. The need was largely driven by cattle and other livestock industries. Cattle drives were long, hard, and inefficient. If livestock didn’t die on the way to market, then they were often weakened or in poor health.

America’s growing railroad system presented an ideal opportunity for moving sensitive products on a larger scale. Refrigerated railcars allowed wholesalers to process cattle prior to shipping to other markets. This not only improved the quality of the meat upon arrival, it also let them ship more usable goods for a better price than they could before.

One of the most effective refrigerated railcars was designed by Andrew Chase in the 1870s. In his model, the person packing the refrigerator car “positioned the ice in a compartment at the top of the car, allowing the chilled air to flow naturally downward. The meat was packed tightly at the bottom of the car to keep the center of gravity low and to prevent the cargo from shifting.”

Shipping goods preserved with ice resulted in fresher food delivery. But even the most advanced and well-insulated reefer railcars had their drawbacks:

• Reefer cars had to be re-iced at icing stations on cross-country trips, typically between every 250–400 miles. This meant that the icing stations not only had to be fully stocked with ice at all times, but they also had to have enough staff to quickly re-ice the car.
• Natural ice wasn’t always available, especially following a warm winter. In instances of ice famine, people had to rely on artificial ice if they could get it.

Despite the unpredictability of the early cold chain, innovators continued to improve refrigerated transportation through the early 20th century. But to push past the limits created by natural and artificial ice, mechanical refrigeration was necessary.

Breakthroughs in Mechanical Refrigeration

Railway transportation was the best way to ship freight at the start of the 20th century. Trucks were used in the 1920s and 1930s, but without an interstate system or transportable refrigeration, trucks couldn’t carry nearly enough temperature-sensitive freight over long distances. World War II sparked new innovations out of necessity. In addition to perishable food items, the military needed better temperature-controlled transportation to safely deliver medical supplies, including vaccines and blood for transfusions.

Frederick Jones invented the first mechanical refrigeration unit in 1938 and continued to perfect the portable unit through 1941. His first version (Model A) attached to the underside of the truck’s trailer and delivered chilled air into the trailer through a tubing system. Model C (which was more compact, lighter, and resistant to road vibrations) improved on this design by mounting to the truck’s nose. Model C units were used in military operations before becoming widely available following WWII, when refrigerated trucks drastically changed how Americans received refrigerated cargo.

With reefer trucks, companies could ship fresh produce, meat, and dairy products to markets they couldn’t reach prior to large-scale refrigerated transportation, most notably large urban areas. But it wasn’t just the city-dwellers whose diets changed. Reefer trucks could deliver fresh foods year-round, which expanded the American diet beyond what was available locally and in-season.

The demand for foods and products that had been previously unavailable illustrated the need not just for more reefer trucks, but for a better cold chain infrastructure. The continuing development of the Interstate Highway System in the 1970s made long-haul travel easier, but refrigerated cargo needed proper storage at its destination, too. Refrigerated warehouses were needed for storing temperature-sensitive items in optimal conditions. Every step of the cold chain required more planning and innovation to accommodate the rapidly expanding reefer trucking industry.

Modern-Day Reefer Trucks

Diesel-powered refrigeration units began to replace gas-powered units in the 1960s. Using diesel extended the life of the unit’s engine, which meant fewer engine replacements were needed and true long-haul reefer trucking was possible.

Today’s refrigerated trucks still use diesel-powered refrigeration units, though they’re more commonly known as transportation refrigeration units (TRU). These units are more environmentally friendly; according to the EPA, “While modern diesel engines emit less emissions compared to older engines, there are new TRU designs and systems with electric plug-in capabilities that can significantly reduce emissions, particularly while parked at distribution centers, warehouses, and grocery stores and centers.”

Modern reefer trucks are equipped with temperature monitoring systems to ensure that cargo is transported at the right temperature and meets safety requirements. Keeping perishable or sensitive cargo at the appropriate temperature is also crucial for profitability (i.e., avoiding rejected cargo) so modern, well-equipped reefers are vital when running a reputable business.

Trailer design has also improved. Insulated interiors help to regulate and maintain temperatures established by refrigeration units. Aluminum and steel bodies increased trailer longevity and functionality over older wooden frames. Now, fiberglass bodies are considered ideal for even better insulation, structural integrity, and maintaining appropriate temperatures.

Beyond Food: Why We Need Refrigerator Trucks

While most of us think of perishable food needing to be refrigerated, there are actually many different products that need to travel in the temperature-controlled environment offered by reefer trucks. (Remember, Frederick Jones’s transportable mechanical refrigeration units were originally used for safely transporting medicine during WWII.) We still use reefer trucks to safely transport medications, vaccines, and other pharmaceutical products.

Other types of reefer cargo include:

• Medicine
• Hazardous materials
• Candles
• Flowers
• Paint
• Artwork
  

Reefer trucks are a critical link in the cold chain, so it matters that you’re driving reliable and well-maintained equipment for a company that values safety. Pride Transport ensures that our trucks are equipped with the latest technology, and drivers can log miles knowing our maintenance teams are committed to putting the best trucks on the road. Check out our driver career page today and start driving with Pride!