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Cooling the City, Circa 1934
By
Jen Carlson
Published Mar 14, 2008
Modified Mar 14, 2008
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Mar 14, 2008
Modified Mar 14, 2008
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Forget about leaving doors open to attract customers with air conditioning and heat, back in 1934 there was a vision of having air-conditioned sidewalks! In another article from the past, the idea is explored.
Dr. Eglov believes that huge refrigeration plants built at intervals of a mile and a half along city streets would rid the canyons between sky scrapers of humid hot air. Giant blowers in the plants would force the cooled air into the streets through ducts. The cold air would hug the streets and walks, displacing the warm air, which would be forced upward. The plan could also call for piping into skyscrapers so as to provide office buildings with air conditioning. A practical street cooling system would be welcomed by store owners in crowded districts, it is believed. The increased patronage would be expected to more than pay for operation of the plants.
Wonder what Gale Brewer would think of this.
Tagged
air conditioning
gale brewer
history
modern mechanix
sidewalks
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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