We Owe Frederick Jones, A Black Inventor, For The Good Foods In Our Refrigerator – A RAINBOW OF ROLE MODELS {WEDNESDAY SERIES}
I celebrate ACHIEVEMENT EVERY DAY! Wednesday’s “A Rainbow of Role Models,” I do not see race, skin color, religion, sex, attractiveness (ok, I do like beautiful ladies), age, or any other nonsense. I love learning from inspirational people who inspire me to drop MY EXCUSES and DO IT! Role models who stretch my ambitions and model GIVING BACK!
There is dignity in achievement and success—in becoming a great factor in civilization.” Carter G. Woodson.
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Frederick McKinley Jones: Invented Mobile Refrigeration – A RAINBOW OF ROLE MODELS {WEDNESDAY SERIES}
I’m betting every reader $1,000.00 you have never heard of Frederick McKinley Jones. I should win 99% of the bets!
Frederick Jones was an extraordinary inventor who transformed how goods were transported and preserved with refrigeration. His practical solutions profoundly impacted industries, including food distribution and transportation, fundamentally altering food safety and availability. His invention saved lives!
Born January 17, 1893 – He Faced Blatant Racial Discrimination
Jones’s mother was a white woman, and his father was a Black man who abandoned them when Jones was just an infant. Raised by his mother’s relatives in a poor neighborhood, he had to navigate racial discrimination and economic hardship. Despite these challenges, Jones showed a keen aptitude for mechanics and electronics.
Like many in this era, he dropped out of school at 16 to help support his family, BUT he continued to educate himself through hands-on experiences and reading books. In 1912, he obtained a job as a mechanic at a garage, where he honed his skills in automotive repair and began to build a foundation for his future innovations.
Military Service and Further Development
1917, Jones was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War I. He was a medical driver, exposing him to various mechanical systems and technologies. Upon returning from the war, his experiences and knowledge in mechanics led him to create several devices, including a patent for an improved internal combustion engine.
However, during the late 1930s, Jones would stake his claim to fame in refrigeration. With the emergence of the trucking industry and a growing demand for perishable goods, the need for mobile refrigeration became apparent. The existing refrigeration methods were often stationary and impractical for transporting foods long distances.
He Created Mobile Refrigeration
In 1935, Jones developed the first successful refrigerated truck and trailer system. Before his invention, preserving perishable products during transit was challenging; refrigerated freight cars were limited and unsuitable for conventional trucks. The truck’s engine powered his innovative refrigeration unit, maintaining temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring that food remained fresh during long hauls.
Jones’ refrigeration system was not just about keeping food cold; it had monumental implications for the distribution network. Grocery stores, hospitals, and other businesses could now depend on consistent access to fresh produce and meat, expanding the market for farmers and suppliers.
During WWII, his portable cooling systems became vital for preserving blood, medicine, and food for troops. His company, Thermo King Corporation, still powers refrigerated trucks across America’s highways today 🛣️ 🔧
His First Patent
Jones was awarded his first patent for a refrigeration unit in 1939, followed by several others, including those for devices that would make air conditioning setups more efficient. Despite the challenges of operating in a predominantly white industry—challenges compounded by the racism of the era—Jones advanced through sheer ingenuity and determination. By his passing, he held over 60 patents covering various devices related to refrigeration, air conditioning, and other mechanical systems.
Only Recognized Posthumously
Frederick Jones died on February 21, 1961, and due to his race, he was primarily unrecognized before his death.
- In 1991, he became the first African American to receive the National Medal of Technology.
- Posthumously inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2007,
His Impact on Society and Industry
Jones’s work revolutionized various sectors beyond food transportation. The principles of mobile refrigeration are now applied in the pharmaceutical industry, ensuring that vaccines and other temperature-sensitive medications are transported safely. Frederick Jones’s invention allowed billions of people to be vaccinated for COVID-19.
His developed techniques have influenced air conditioning systems that enhance comfort in our homes and workplaces. Additionally, his innovations gave rise to a new industry—transportation services dedicated to shipping perishable items—ushering in an era of convenience where consumers can enjoy seasonal fruits and vegetables year-round.
Conclusion
There are many more like Frederick Jones, ignored and forgotten because of the color of their skin. I celebrate ACHIEVEMENT EVERY DAY! I do not see race, skin color, religion, sex, etc. I love learning from inspirational people who inspire me to drop MY EXCUSES and DO IT! Role models who stretch my ambitions and model GIVING BACK!
Frederick McKinley Jones is a role model and more than an inventor; he was a pioneer whose contributions fundamentally changed the landscape of food distribution and refrigeration technology. His work not only made fresh food accessible across long distances but also illustrated the impact that innovation can have on society.
Today, as we benefit from the advancements in refrigeration and temperature-controlled transport, it is vital to remember visionaries like Jones, who, through resilience and ingenuity, laid the groundwork for contemporary conveniences.
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I am a proud nerd (as my beautiful wife and daughter have told me) investment and finance blogger with an N.C. State, Chemical Engineering, University Rutgers, MBA and Harvard University, Advanced Management education.
I left a corporate career because I desired to make a difference as a speaker and writer. I was blessed to be coached and mentored by strong women and men in my family and professional life. It is my time to serve and give back.
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I started my first business at ~13 years of age (a small but brilliantly created plant nursery). I am a successful investor in stocks, options, and real estate and am happy to share my finance and investment lessons. I am NOT a licensed financial advisor. Please do not construe my suggestions on this blog as recommendations for your situation. As an investor, you must establish your risk/loss tolerance. Investment in any asset involves risk, including complete loss.
Please seek your licensed CPA or fiduciary financial advisors for individual financial advice.
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