Reefer trucking-An overview of transport refrigeration's evolution can be found here.

 An overview of transport refrigeration's evolution can be found here.

Perishable item transport and preservation have been transformed by how far transport fridge has come since its beginning. Our article will travel through history to highlight the evolutionary path of transport cooling innovations.

**Early Days: During the 19th century through early 20th century, ice and insulation were used together.

Can be traced back to the 19th century, the history of transport refrigeration began with ice as the leading cooling technique. Goods needed to remain cold while being transported so railcars and ships were stocked with ice bunkers. Labor intensity made the process require constant loading and unloading of ice.

**Mechanical Cooling Emerges (1930s - 1950s)**

Significant changes occurred during the 1930s when mechanical refrigeration was introduced. Truck and trailer refrigeration units were invented by Carrier and Thermo King. Compressors, evaporators, and condensers were used by these units to cool cargo. Long-distance transportation became quicker, more reliable than ever thanks to this innovation.

Between the 1960s and 1980s, there were substantial improvements in compressor technology.

Technology advancements in transport refrigeration were seen during the 1960s and 1970s. With advancements in technology, efficiency and miniaturization have led to lower fuel consumption along with greater cooling power. With these developments, the frozen food sector expanded significantly along with the logistics of delivering commodities across greater distances.

Digital control and sustainability in the 1990s through the early 2000s.

Digital control systems entered transport refrigeration units during the 1990s. With these systems in place, the temperature remained ideal for sensitive cargo during transit. Greener refrigerants and energy-efficient designs were introduced, furthering the push towards sustainability.