The history of keeping cool
Published On: Jul 18 2012 09:24:26 AM PDT
Look back at the history of fans, air conditioners and other ways humans have tried to stay cool through the centuries.
Evaporative cooling, which adds moisture to the air that cools things down as it evaporates, dates back to ancient Egypt. Egyptians would hang wet mats in doorways or have slaves fan jars full of water. Similar techniques can be found in American Indian communities, the American West and 19th-century textile mills.
