The History of Frigors: Cold Storage Before Modern Refrigeration

Frigor (plural: frigors or frigora) is a term that was historically used to describe a type of cold storage or refrigeration device. The word "frigor" comes from the Latin word "frigus," which means "cold."

In the past, before modern refrigeration technology became widely available, people used various methods to keep food and other perishable items cool. One such method was to use a frigor, which was essentially a container filled with ice or snow that was used to keep food cold. The frigor was often made of wood or metal and had a lid or cover to keep the cold air inside.

Frigors were commonly used in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in Europe and North America, to store food and drinks during hot weather. They were also used in the transportation of perishable goods, such as meat and dairy products, before the development of modern refrigeration technology.

Today, the term "frigor" is no longer widely used, and the word "refrigerator" has become the standard term for a device that cools and stores food and drinks. However, the history of frigors provides an interesting glimpse into the early methods of cold storage and the evolution of refrigeration technology.