The Friedrich Story

Forerunner of the Refrigerator

Ed Friedrich, quite the innovator of his time, turned his attention to handcrafted products such as store fixtures, wood billiard tables and fine, carved cabinetry. Eventually these products were phased out as Ed realized there was a great necessity for more easily preserving food. He subsequently invented the first, rather primitive refrigerator—a true stroke of genius considering the importance of the refrigerator in today’s society.

In the late 1800s, ice was used in early, non-electric refrigerators for keeping food cool—a great idea until the temperatures in Texas spiked to over 100 degrees. Ed’s next version was a bunker-type refrigerator that concealed the ice blocks, followed by salt brine freezer cases that provided lower cooling temperatures.

Soon it was determined that there was a need for some type of mechanical refrigeration and the forerunner of the modern refrigerator was invented.

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