A short history of the electric fan
Ever since electricity became a regular feature in homes across the world, the development of home appliances also followed suit. These appliances help make household chores much more efficient to do. These home appliances include the washing machine, kitchen stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, television, and the microwave. Today, it would be highly unusual to see a house without these appliances.
One of the most common household appliances is the electric fan. The electric fan is a simple device which helps cool your room, which really is great to have during a hot day. While it is a common fixture in a house, not many people know about its history. Luckily, that’s what we’re here to find out.
Early Fanning
The act of fanning has been around for thousands of years, with the earliest fans being found in the tombs of ancient Egyptians. The use of fans most likely was borne out of necessity, and the human body’s need to keep their bodies cool. The usage of fans were not only for keeping cool, but some of them have religious significance, and are used in various ceremonies. Some of these fans had beautiful and elaborate designs, like the ones from Japan and China, and were very popular amongst the people.
In ancient Rome, people added snow from the Alps while fanning, which provides colder air that can offset warm days. While fanning helps in cooling down, one can only fan so much until they get tired, which is why there have been early attempts to mechanize the fan. The earliest known attempt to do so was in China during the year 180, which was a large rotary fan which had 10-foot wheels and is able to cool down large halls and ventilate mine shafts.
The Invention of the Electric Fan
Eventually, the earliest electric fans emerged during the late 1800s, being an invention of an American named Schuyler Wheeler. He was able to develop a way to use electricity to make a fan turn, which enabled fanning for a prolonged period of time. The first electric fan had a two-bladed fan, which was covered by a cage, and powered by an electric motor.
Eventually, the electric fan became very popular, and Wheeler became a prominent member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Later on, a German immigrant named Philip H. Diehl patented a new design 1887, which would become the ceiling fan. His company Diehl and Co. also developed the first oscillating fan, which would become the most common type of electric fan sold in the market.
Eventually, electric fans became very popular, and are soon found in homes across the world. Although a relatively simple device, the fan was able to provide people with cool air that would help them get through those really warm days.
Key Takeaway
Today, electric fans are still a regular fixture in a lot of homes. As new and improved variants come out each year, you would be guaranteed that the electric fan is here to stay. With so many home appliance companies producing electric fans each year, you would be sure that you will be able to keep yourself cool during a warm day.
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literally, you really write about everything. i find this cute. hehehe