Earlier air conditioning

JJohnson

Banned
Let's say that John Gorrie's financial backer didn't die, and his air conditioning system, which he patented in 1851 takes off, bringing air conditioning across the US South, and even in other parts of the world. What kind of effects would this have on Southern population growth in the US, and in African colonies of the British, French, and German empires?
 
I don't know, but bumped for extreme coolness.

I suspect that for a long time its refrigeration that will make the big difference, not air conditioning, just like OTL. Fresher fruits, vegetables, meats, and milks will have a big impact on health and childhood growth.

Probably too soon to affect the Civil War much.

Edit: La Wiki whispers in my ear that refrigeration go going not too, too long after this fellow died anyway. So maybe his big impact *is* on air conditioning. Its likely to be too expensive for much private use for awhile. So maybe you have two effects in the American South and in tropical colonial enclaves: a bigger focus on clubs, bars, and other areas of communal resort; and maybe condos or apartments as middle-class residences with shared AC, while only the poor and struggling and blue collar live in individual homes. An apartment-style communal-style suburbanization would be . . . wierd.
 
Last edited:
Top