We’ve seen some big technological advancements over the years in the HVAC industry. These advancements help you live more comfortably in your home, in addition to more safely and efficiently. This is thanks, in part, to the important contributions of inventive minds along the way.
Margaret Ingels: Champion of Residential Air Conditioning
After becoming the first woman from the University of Kentucky and the second woman in the U.S. to graduate with an engineering degree, Margaret Ingals started a career as a traffic engineer before transitioning to a career at the Carrier-Lyle Corporation.
Her experience there led to her interest in air conditioning, and she decided to obtain a professional degree in Mechanical Engineering, another first for U.S. women. Her education, experience, and curiosity eventually lead to her perfecting the sling micrometer and developing the equation for “effective temperature,” which measures human comfort in relation to humidity and airflow—an equation much needed for today’s residential air conditioning!
Alice Parker: Gas-Powered Furnace
Educated at Howard University, Alice Parker grew up in Morristown, New Jersey, and the ineffectiveness of her fireplace in the chilly New Jersey winters inspired her to find a better solution—or rather, design a better solution. She created the natural gas furnace, that could heat different rooms by connecting a single unit to air ducts to better circulate the warm air. This is the foundation for today’s central heating systems!