How did refrigeration work before electricity was widespread?

Question

I’m curious about the really old ice boxes, but I was really wondering about the ones from the 1800s that relied on coolant and some form of evaporation.

I can’t really picture how old is physics work without electricity.

In: 47

Answer 1

In my hometown city, t hey cut up blocks up ice from the river in the winter. Then stored them deep in specialized basement covered with sawdust to be distributed through the spring and fall.

Ice Blocks were delivered to and from via horse drawn carts. The saw were manually operated and lifted by really strong guys.