ASHRAE History
ASHRAE was formed as the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers by the merger in 1959 of American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHAE) founded in 1894 and The American Society of Refrigerating Engineers (ASRE) founded in 1904.
ASHVE Founding Meeting, September 10, 1894
ASHVE First Annual Meeting January 22, 23, and 24 1895
American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers
American Society of Refrigerating Engineers
The Merger of ASHVE/ASHAE and ASRE to Become ASHRAE
A Brief History of the ASHRAE Handbook
List of ASHVE/ASHAE, ASRE and ASHRAE Fellows
2012 ASHRAE Rebranding
Society Meeting Dates
These two lists include the dates and places of ASHRAE Society meetings beginning with the first one in 1895 through the 2013 Annual Conference. The lists include Annual, Semi-Annual, and Fall Meetings for ASHVE; Annual, Semi-Annual, Spring or Western Meetings for ASRE; Annual, Semi-Annual and Winter Meetings as well as Winter and Annual Conferences for ASHRAE.
Society Meeting Dates, 1895-1995
Society Meeting Dates, 1959-2013
ASHRAE Library Online Catalog
The ASHRAE Library does not circulate or lend out books, but ASHRAE Headquarters staff are happy to welcome you to visit the library and use the collection for your research. Whether your interest is historical or the latest technological innovations, we can help you.
Library
ASHRAE Journal Article Archives
As an ASHRAE Member you can search and download any ASHRAE article back to 1997 in the ASHRAE Technology Portal. There are a number of articles detailing either industry or society history.
If you are not an ASHRAE Member, you can learn more about membership and join ASHRAE, using the link below.
Learn about ASHRAE MEMBERSHIP
Abstract Archives
The Abstract Archives are a member benefit consisting of an online index of almost 7,000 abstracts of papers and publications from ASHRAE. It is a useful tool for identifying many papers and articles that are not available through the online bookstore.
Abstract Archives
Indexes to Earlier ASHRAE Publications
These indexes were scanned from paper indexes. They are arranged by broad subject categories and authors' last names. To access the page with the links to the indexes, you must be logged in as an ASHRAE member.
ASHRAE Indexes
ASHRAE Archives (Historical Archives)
These archive indexes cover items held in the ASHRAE Library Archives at ASHRAE Headquarters. (Filesupdated 10/4/2018)
Archives of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
Archives of the American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers (ASHVE)
Archives of the American Society of Refrigerating Engineers (ASRE)
Archives of the American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHAE)
Regional and Chapter Histories Sorted by Regions
Industry Archives of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) (PDF)
Leadership Voices (formerly Leadership Recall)
DOMELRE, the first electric refrigerator
The DOMELRE was the first successful, mass marketed package automatic electric refrigeration unit
CIBSE Heritage Group
Heritage Group Website for the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers
Museums
Museums Dedicated Solely to HVAC&R
Air-Conditioning and Refrigerating Patents and Chronology
Air-Conditioning and Refrigerating Patents
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Chronology (updated 5/10/2006)
Special Series Commemorating the First Century of Air Conditioning
This series of articles appeared in ASHRAE Journal beginning in December 1998 and running through November 1999.
Introduction to the First Century of Air Conditioning (PDF)
By Harry M. Will.
John Gorrie, The Visionary (PDF)
By John Gladstone.
Application of Electric Power in HVAC&R Systems (PDF)
By Bruce L. Flaniken, P.E.
A History of Comfort Cooling Using Ice (PDF)
By Bernard Nagengast
Early Twentieth Century Air-Conditioning Engineering (PDF)
By Bernard Nagengast
The Rise and Fall of Carbon Dioxide Systems (PDF)
By William S. Bodinus, P.E.
Sleeping Soundly on Summer Nights: A History of Air Conditioning in the Home (PDF)
By Mike Pauken, P.E.
The Evolution of Modern Office Buildings and Air-Conditioning (PDF)
By David Arnold, F.R.Eng.
Air-Conditioning in Office Buildings After World War II (PDF)
By David Arnold, F.R.Eng.
Evolution of Automotive Heating—Riding in Comfort: Part I (PDF)
By Mohinder S. Bhatti, Ph.D.
Evolution of Automotive Heating—Riding in Comfort: Part II (PDF)
By Mohinder S. Bhatti, Ph.D.
The History of Ventilation and Temperature Control (PDF)
By John E. Janssen
A View of IAQ as the Century Closes (PDF)
By Arthur E. Wheeler, P.E.
A Look Back at HVAC&R
Miscellaneous articles of historical interest to the reader.
Air conditioning still cool after 100 years
The ASHRAE Centennial: 100 Years of Progress (PDF - 13.5 MB)
Report on Domestic Refrigerating Machines, 1923 - 1925
By Alexander Stevenson Jr. (1892-1946).
Documentation of 1920's Carbon Dioxide Air Conditioning System -- Orpheum Theater, Minneapolis, MN
Documented by Bernard Nagengast et al.
History in the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry: Breakthrough of Large Positive Displacement Rotary Compressors in the Second Half of the 20th Century
By Henri Soumerai.
History of Refrigeration Timelines
1200-2001
Timeline of the History of Refrigeration
1748-1999
History of Refrigeration Timeline Images (PDF)
1748-1904
History of Refrigeration Timeline Images
1906-1939
History of Refrigeration Timeline Images
1939-1999
History of Refrigeration Timeline Images
ASHRAE Historical Committee
Historical Committee