Carrier Corporation, manufacturer and distributor of heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, celebrated its 112th anniversary last July 17th 2014. With more than 10 decades of experience in providing air conditioning and refrigeration solutions, it is fitting that we take a look at some of the unknown yet interesting facts about Carrier.
Fact #1:
Carrier introduced the Infinity heat pump with Greenspeed intelligence in 2011. This innovative technology offers the greatest heating efficiency of any air source heat pump.
Fact #2:
Carrier’s Commercial plant in Monterrey was the first plant in an industrial facility outside United States to achieve LEED Gold for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance certification.
Fact #3:
In order to expand and improve its energy services capabilities, Carrier acquired NORESCO in 2008.
Fact #4:
When Beijing hosted the international athletic competition in 2008, the Beijing National Stadium, also referred to as the “Bird’s Nest” was used. The venue featured Carrier air-handing units as well as the first HVAC system ever produced by Chinese.
Fact #5:
In 2004, Carrier acquired Linde Refrigeration, a leading supplier of refrigerants and air conditioning units for more than 40 years.
Fact #6:
In 2002, during the centennial celebration of modern air conditioning, the president of Carrier Corporation, Geraud Darnis, told the audience that the creation of the Willis H. Carrier Academy was the company’s way to honor his belief that understanding and education were the two things that could solve challenges of all kinds.
Fact #7:
In 1998, the American engineer and inventor of modern air conditioning Willis H. Carrier was named one of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People of the Century”.
Fact #8:
In 1998, Carrier came up with a unique display case that would help preserve a 500-year old Inca mummy discovered in the Andes in Peru. The embalmed body was brought to Washington and Peru for an exhibit.
Fact #9:
In 1993, roughly two years before the U.S. Clean Air Act deadline, Carrier discontinued the production of CFC –based chillers in the United States.
Fact #10:
In order to preserve Michelangelo’s masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel, Carrier air conditioning units were used. AC units that could measure humidity accurately were installed inside the chapel about 30 feet above the floor.
Fact #11:
The Carrier Dome, located at Syracuse University in New York and home to the Syracuse Orange football, basketball and lacrosse teams, opened on September 20, 1980 and was the only domed stadium in the Northeast and also the fifth largest throughout the United States at that time.
Fact #12:
In 1980, almost 75% of the colleges and universities in the U.S. had some form of modern air conditioning unit.
Fact #13:
In 1979, United Technologies acquired Carrier and it practically reshaped the global market for heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
Fact #14:
In 1971, Carrier acquired the principal air conditioning contract for the then tallest building in the world, the Chicago’s 110-floor Sears Tower.
Fact #15:
In 1961, Carrier was awarded the contract for New York City’s Lincoln Center. The complex, which was completed in 1964, had included the Metropolitan Opera House.
Fact #16:
In 1959, 13 out of 14 nuclear submarines in operation featured Carrier air conditioning units. Some of these nuclear-powered submarines include Skipjack, Sea Dragon, Sea Wolf and U.S.S. Nautilus.
Fact #17:
In 1955, Carrier joined forces with Affiliated Gas Equipment, Inc. in acquiring a foothold in the home heating market. This joint project was in response to the increasing demand for year-round residential equipment.
Fact #18:
On October 7, 1950, Willis H. Carrier died on a New York trip. He passed away shortly before his 74th birthday.
Fact #19:
In 1949, the world’s first completely air conditioned plane was delivered to Pan American Airways. This Boeing Aircraft Stratocaster used two Carrier aluminum compressors specifically built for air transportation.
Fact #20:
In 1948, the luxury liner American President Lines had its initial run from California to the Orient. To ensure comfort throughout the voyage, the passenger ship used Carrier air conditioning units.
Fact #21:
In 1945, the first full air-conditioned trolley coach built for city transportation used Carrier air conditioning units. The installation of the AC system was part of the experimental operation by the Georgia Company.
Fact #22:
Carrier provided refrigeration products during the war in order to ensure safe delivery and storage of perishable goods.