Here is some interesting history about something we take for granted- air conditioners and refrigerators. Ice trade was a flourishing business back in the late 1800’s, yet using artificial means to create ice was successful in the mid 1800’s.

The Ice trade.
http://www.capepondice.com/history.html
Note this part about the ‘ice wars’;
“After a lively period of "ice wars" when the two competing businesses reportedly sabotaged each other's winter ice harvests, in 1908 Cape Pond and Fernwood Lake ice companies merged.”

I bet there is an interesting story there.

More on the Ice trade
http://www.charlesfortes.com/class_pages/Sround1/crystalblocks1.html

The first ice machine.
http://www.smithsonianmag.si.edu/smithsonian/issues02/jul02/object.html

The first attempts at Air Conditioning.
http://www.buyandhold.com/bh/en/education/history/2001/williscarrier.html