Frederick mckinley jones refrigerator

Frederick Jones invented the first successful system for mobile refrigeration. His invention eliminated the far less effective use of ice and salt to preserve foods for transport, greatly extending the distance over which food could be successfully delivered. In the summer oflocal merchant Joseph Numero made an offhanded promise to a trucking company to build a refrigerated truck that would not fail when subjected to the normal bumps and vibrations that occur during shipping.

Jones, working for Numero, designed a durable, small unit with a compressor mounted under the trailer that was powered by a four-cylinder engine. Jones relocated to Hallock and worked on the farm, in charge of maintaining and repairing all machinery and cars. When the farm was sold two years later, Jones remained in the area, finding work repairing cars.

Frederick mckinley jones refrigerator: Frederick Jones invented the first

He remained in Hallock for the next 18 years, leaving only for World War I. Jones enjoyed his life in Hallock, and became quite involved in the community, participating in civic activities and pursuing a passion for racecar driving. Jones also pursued correspondence study of electrical engineering. He remarked once in the Saturday Evening Post that Hallock was a place "where a man … [was] judged more on his character and ability than on the color of his skin.

When Jones enlisted during World War Ihe was initially assigned to an African American frederick mckinley jones refrigerator until the military learned of his mechanical skill. Jones was in great demand in the military and known for his ability to fix anything. He was constantly requested from various military camps for electrical and mechanical work.

Jones was in charge of maintaining communications systems at the military front. He worked on military vehicles, repaired X-rays, and completed electrical wiring. After several months Jones was promoted to Sergeant, an extremely high rank for an African American serviceman in those days. He taught classes to other soldiers on the subjects of electrical circuitry.

He was the town's movie projectionist and developed a sound track unit to accommodate the new sound motion pictures. As film technology continued to change, Jones developed movie sound technology that cost less and performed better than comparable products on the market. With knowledge gained on his own, Jones also built a radio transmitter for Hallock.

Jones' inventions to develop quality movie soundtrack mechanics caused entrepreneur Joseph A. Numero of Minneapolis, to notice the young mechanic's skills. Numero, who headed Cinema Supplies, employed Jones to improve the quality of the sound equipment that the company manufactured. Jones later on June 17, was granted his first patent for a movie theater ticket machine that he invented.

Numero helped to create the situation that led to Jones' greatest achievement—refrigerated transport of food. A business peer, Harry Werner, complained that he was unable to ship food without it perishing. Numero jokingly remarked that Werner needed a refrigerator for his truck, never expecting to be taken seriously. However, Werner purchased an aluminum truck and brought it to Numero and Jones for consideration.

Numero thought that the project was impossible, but Jones got into the truck, took some measurements, and quickly concluded that a refrigeration unit could be developed. After some experimentation, Jones developed a refrigeration unit that could withstand shock and could mount to the forehead of a truck. He patented this invention on July 12, Numero eventually sold Cinema Supplies, Inc.

Jones and Numero called their new company the U. Thermo Control Company. It was later known as the Thermo King Corporation. Although Jones had no formal engineering training, he was known for his ability to work with the engineers at Thermo Control, many with university educations. Jones had no patience for peers who relied too heavily on theory without working on a real problem.

He also lacked tolerance for shoddiness and incompetence among employees, even though he never fired a company employee. According to an article in the Saturday Evening Post, Jones' unconventional work style was describes in the following way: "Most engineers start at the bottom of a project and work up, but Fred takes a flying leap too [sic] the top of the mountain and then backs down, cutting steps for himself and the rest of us as he goes.

Jones' revolutionary work in refrigerated food transport led to increased benefits for the food transportation industry and spawned the frozen food industry. Jones eventually developed transportable refrigeration for trains, ships, and planes. The refrigeration units served a significant purpose during World War II and facilitated the transportation of food, blood, and medical supplies around the world to U.

During the Second World War, Jones was advanced to the rank of sergeant and served as an electrician. He continued to develop cooling units that were used, not only for food and medicine, but for airplane cockpits and ambulance planes. Jones' productive career yielded 61 patents. Forty of these involved refrigeration systems, but Jones also invented portable X-ray equipment, audio equipment, and engines.

Many of Jones' inventions changed their industries forever. The condenser microphone was one invention that Jones never patented. The microphone was eventually patented and manufactured by another party. A similar situation occurred when Jones developed a portable X-ray machine at the request of a doctor in Hallock. He never patented the machine, which was later patented by a German.

Jones' cutting edge work as an inventor and a mechanic was recognized in a number of ways. During the s, Jones consulted for various branches of the United States government, including the Department of Defense and the Bureau of Standards. Jones' inventions never accumulated massive wealth for him, but he was well regarded by his friends and supporters and known for his generosity and helpfulness.

Jones died of lung cancer on February 21, in Minneapolis. Numero owned a frederick mckinley jones refrigerator that manufactured audio equipment called Ultraphone Sound Systems Inc. Aroundfollowing a request by Numero, Jones began designing the Thermo Control Model A automatic truck refrigeration unit. Chilled air was transported to the inside of the trailer via refrigerant tubing.

The Model B was smaller and lighter, but not durable. InJones completed development of the Model C, which was mounted to the front of the truck. It was compact, light, and withstood road travel vibrations. Model C units were manufactured for military use, following the war the units became available for commercial use. He also developed a portable x-ray machine.

It was a "snow machine" that attached skis to the undercarriage of an airplane fuselage and attached a propeller, and a sound track synchroniser later selling the patent to RCA. During his life, Jones was awarded 61 patents. He died of lung cancer at the age of 67 in Minneapolis inpredeceasing his wife Lucille. Contents move to sidebar hide.

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Frederick mckinley jones refrigerator: Jones innovated mobile refrigeration technology.

In other projects. Wikidata item. American inventor and entrepreneur — This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Covington, KentuckyU. Most significantly, he began designing a portable air-cooling unit for trucks carrying perishable food in He later adapted the device to fit trains and aquatic vehicles, making him a pioneer in mobile refrigeration.

Forming a partnership with Numero, Jones founded the U. Thermo Control Company, now known as Thermo King. The company grew exponentially during World War II, and Jones helped save lives as his inventions preserved blood serums for transfusions, medicine, and food. ByU. Thermo Control was worth millions of dollars. Jones remained a leading figure at Thermo King until the mids, when illness forced him into an unofficial early retirement.

Throughout his career, Jones received more than 60 patents. Most pertained to refrigeration technologies, but others related to X-ray machines, including a portable version, as well as engines and sound equipment.

Frederick mckinley jones refrigerator: Black inventor Frederick McKinley Jones

Inhe also received a patent for a thermostat and temperature control system. Frederick was married to a woman named Lucille Jones. Few details about their relationship, including the date of their wedding, are available. Jones died of lung cancer in Minneapolis on February 21, He was Since his death, Jones has been recognized for his achievements in various ways.