Remember life before air conditioning? The majority of my summers were spent without the luxury of AC and, back in those days, we had small fans, then window fans to move the hot air around and keep us from melting in the heat and humidity! Folks also used paper fans to keep cool(er) and kids would run through lawn sprinklers and linger in small, plastic pools in the backyard. Eventually window AC units came on the scene and offered welcomed relief in at least a few rooms of the house and today, most of us enjoy central air in our homes and offices.
Nostalgia colors memories of summers past, but I must say that I do enjoy feeling the cool air from my AC, especially during these hot days when the temps can climb near 100 degrees. I also believe that AC helps keep many older folks safer in the heat and helps working people be more productive in their workplaces (remember when paper weights were a staple in offices where big fans were being used?).
Do you have memories of living without AC from days past? Please share your stories and comments.
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Jim Mitcham
JIM's, Inc.
jimsphac@aol.com
(301) 926-3499