A Brief History of Air Conditioning

It’s hard to imagine Florida without air conditioning. But AC is a relatively modern invention — here’s a look at how it came to be.

The First Modern AC

Willis Carrier invented the first modern air conditioning system in 1902. His goal was to control humidity at a printing plant in Brooklyn, New York — not to cool people, but to keep paper from warping. The cooling effect was a bonus.

Early Adoption

In the early decades, air conditioning was used mainly in theaters, department stores, and hotels. Home AC was considered a luxury. Window units became widely available in the 1950s, bringing cool air to residential homes for the first time.

Central Air Conditioning

Central air conditioning systems became standard in new American homes through the 1960s and 1970s. The Sunbelt — including Florida — saw explosive population growth as AC made the region livable year-round.

Trane’s Role

Trane has been a pioneer in HVAC innovation since 1913. As a Trane Comfort Specialist, Air & Energy is proud to carry on that legacy of quality in Bradenton. Call 941-778-0773 to learn about today’s most efficient Trane systems.