Who invented the Einstein refrigerator and when was it created?
Albert Einstein and Leó Szilárd invented the Einstein refrigerator between 1926 and 1934. They secured a U.S. patent number 1,781,541 on the 11th of November 1930.
Questions about Einstein refrigerator
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What working fluids did the Einstein refrigerator use to operate without electricity?
The Einstein refrigerator used water, ammonia, and butane as its working fluids. These substances cycled through the system using heat as the only energy source without any mechanical movement.
Why did commercial production of the Einstein refrigerator never happen despite early interest?
Commercial production failed because the Great Depression began in 1929 and dried up funding for development projects. Political violence rose sharply in Nazi Germany where both men lived, forcing them to flee in the early 1930s.
How much money did Albert Einstein and Leó Szilárd earn from their refrigeration patents?
The inventors earned $750 for their efforts which equals about $10,000 today. Electrolux purchased the most promising patents shortly after approval.
When did electrical engineers at Oxford University revive the original concept of the Einstein refrigerator?
Electrical engineers at Oxford University revived the original concept in 2008 under the leadership of Malcolm McCulloch. A project completed in 2005 by Wolfgang Engels from the University of Oldenburg had already rebuilt the original concept.