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History of Frigidaire
The first electric refrigerator was offered for sale in 1913. In 1915, Alfred Mellowes designed a new version of the original unit and in 1916 the Guardian Frigerator Company was organized to manufacture Mellowes' refrigerator. General Motors saw the potential of this company and purchased it in 1918 and gave it the name Frigidaire. Mass production techniques were applied, production facilities were improved and additional sales offices were opened. It was then that Frigidaire took off as a company. Along the way, it has recorded quite a few "firsts" and contributed immensely to the industry as a whole.
Among the milestones:
| 1921 | One-piece metal lining "Hydrolene" that sealed the cork insulation |
| 1924 | Began to manufacture ice cream cabinets |
| 1926 | The first all-steel refrigerator cabinet |
| 1927 | The first porcelain-on-steel refrigerator exterior |
| 1929 | The first home
food freezer (chest type) The first self-contained room air conditioner Frigidaire builds its one-millionth refrigerator! International sales begin |
| 1930 | The first "Hydrator", a humidity drawer for fruits and vegetables |
| 1931 | The first use of freon as a refrigerant |
| 1933 | The "Meter Miser", the first sealed, self-oiling rotary compressor unit |
| 1937 | The first "Quickube"
aluminum ice tray with a built-in cube release Frigidaire begins its electric range line with an all-porcelain enamel interior and exterior, as well as fiberglass insulation around the oven itself |
| 1938 | The first air-cooled, window-type air conditioner |
| 1947 | Laundry product
line added The Frigidaire washer has a vertical pump agitator and spin dry speed of 1,000 rpms |
| 1948 | The first refrigerator-freezer combination with completely separate freezer section |
| 1950 | The first compact 30" electric range |
| 1952 | The first automatic
defrosting of the refrigerator compartment "Cycla-Matic" The first built-in automatic lint removal system in an automatic washer |
| 1954 | First color-matched appliances offered by Frigidaire |
| 1955 | "Ice Ejector", a storage bin with built-in cube release is introduced |
| 1958 | "Frigi-Foam"
insulation allowed for the first Frost-Proof refrigerator-freezer The first automatic soak cycle Pull 'N Clean oven pulls out for stand-up cleaning Frigidaire builds its 50 millionth product! |
| 1964 | The jet action washer with roller-matic mechanism - not belts, pulleys or gears |
| 1965 | The first automatic ice maker which delivers cubes to the ice saver on door |
| 1969 | Molded "agi-tub"
introduced, a combination spin tub and agitator First use of polypropylene in a washer tub |
| 1970 | The first laundry center with washer and dryer |
| 1974 | Ice, juice and water through the door introduced on top mount refrigerator |
| 1975 | The first charcoal refrigerator deodorizer |
| 1979 | White Consolidated Industries (WCI) purchases Frigidaire from General Motors |
| 1986 | WCI purchased by AB Electrolux of Sweden |
| 1996 | All U.S. manufacturing facilities are ISO9000 certified |
| 1997 | The revolutionary Gallery Tumble Action washer is designed with quieter operation and saves energy and water |
| 1998 | Introduced the PureSource Ice & Water Filtration System in side-by-side refrigerators |
| 1999 | Frigidaire's freezer factory produces 70 percent of freezers manufactured in the United States |
| 2001 | Introduced the Next Generation line of refrigerators |
| 2004 | Introduced 60cm counter depth refrigerators with exclusive Precision Air Filtration and Easy Care Real Stainless Steel |
| 2005 | The Prestige Pair, all refrigerator and upright freezer, becomes a kitchen centerpiece with 946-liters / 34 cu.ft. of fresh and frozen food storage |
| 2005 | Introduced the new color Silver Mist with the look of stainless steel |
| 2006 | Introduced the industry's first frost-free chest freezer |
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