Friday, January 13, 2012

Ancient Technology Which Could Come in Handy

Militant environmentalists seemingly would like nothing better than to force industrialized nations backwards, energy usage wise, in their continued attempts to thwart the development of fossil fuel sources, pushing, instead, coercively instituted wind farm fantasies, which are nothing more than exorbitantly priced pinwheels, and even children become bored with pinwheels in a relatively short period of time.

The challenges resulting from a loss of energy, electrical or otherwise, whether due to militant environmentalists, or other less civil actions, is something individuals should consider, especially when it comes to perishable food storage, not to mention keeping your beers chilled.  The Persians offer one possibility.

400 BC, Persian engineers had mastered the technique of storing ice in the middle of summer in the desert. The ice was brought in during the winters from nearby mountains in bulk amounts, and stored in a Yakhchal, or ice-pit. These ancient refrigerators were used primarily to store ice for use in the summer, as well as for food storage, in the hot, dry desert climate of Iran. The ice was also used to chill treats for royalty during hot summer days and to make faloodeh, the traditional Persian frozen dessert.

Interesting little article, with a rough set of drawings.  Yakhchal Ancient Refrigerators.

Linked via Fred Lapides.

Posted by John Venlet on 01/13 at 01:04 PM
(2) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Page 1 of 1 pages