Controlling the Climate
Controlling the Climate
by Lea Hart
People who live in Texas know that summer means heat. This
was no different for the population of Thurber. According to the Global
Historical Climatology Network, on July 1 of 1910 Dublin, Texas’s temperature
was 90 degrees Fahrenheit with a low of 69. As of this moment, July 1, of 2020,
Dublin’s temperatures are estimated to be 96 with a low of 74. While there are
over 110 years difference between these two dates, there is a significant difference
between how people stayed cool in these sweltering temperatures.
One of the main differences between dealing with heat in the
present, and dealing with it in past, was the invention of air-conditioning. The
earliest modern incarnation of the air conditioner was developed in 1902 by Willis
Haviland Carrier. While ancient civilizations have used variations of
evaporative coolers, commonly known today as swamp coolers, Carrier is the
first person credited to build a coolant system for industrial purposes. His
original purpose was not to cool workers in shops, but to decrease humidity for
a printing business. Keeping workers comfortable just happened to be a nice
side effect. In 1903, the first place to
use Carrier’s new machine to cool its workers happened to be the New York Stock
Exchange. The first air conditioner to be developed for homes (not just for the
extraordinarily wealthy) was in the 1930s and employed the use of a 200 pound
cabinet, and copious amounts of ice. This made device more of a hindrance than
a help. While Thurber did have an Ice plant, the ice it produced was largely
for cold boxcars that would run through Thurber, and local iceboxes. All of
this to say, Thurberites were on their own for cooling themselves.
Without the modern convenience of air-conditioning, how did
the Thurber population cope with the blistering heat? One way Thurberites kept
cool was their clothing. The first synthetic fiber was produced in France in
the mid 1800’s, formerly called artificial silk, it became known to be rayon.
This fabric was not produced in the United States until 1911 and was primarily
used as trimming (decorative bits sewn on to hems, sleeves, and collars) as it
was not very breathable. It was the 1930’s before rayon gained popularity and
was used for complete outfits. The 1930’s also led to the production of nylon,
which became a staple in women’s fashion. Synthetic fibers are warmer than the
natural fibers from which clothing used to be made. Cotton, linen and even wool
is significantly more breathable than today’s Synthetic fibers and would have
been worn by Thurber’s population.
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| A Bakery Shop in Thurber, Lorenz Collection |
Another method of keeping cool for Thurberites was home
construction. Historically, larger houses allowed heat to rise keeping the
lower portions of houses cool. Thurber houses, while all similarly built, were
made and owned by the Texas Pacific Coal and Oil Company. These homes had their
widows placed across from one another in order to create cross breezes
throughout the house. Other methods used to keep cool were awnings, which
allowed for the windows to be opened in all types of weather. Larger cities did
their best to accommodate those in apartment buildings with transom windows.
These small windows were placed over the entry doors of apartments and would
open to let in small breezes circulate.
During some seasons, like summer in Texas, covered porches were slept on
in order for the occupants of homes to keep cooler at night.
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| General Offices in Thurber, Lorenz Collection |
While none of these suggestions sound half as comfortable as today’s central air and heat, there are still many cities, states, and countries that use older methods of keeping cool during their warmest seasons. During the heat wave that struck Europe in 2019 less than 5% of homes and businesses used central air conditioning. This number may not change much over time, as the use of AC is a significant cultural difference that leaves the United States standing alone in its demand. While the people of Thurber are no longer concerned about keeping cool during the Texas heat, those of who tell the story of Thurber are. You can experience this yourself at the W.K. Gordon Center for Texas Industrial History where the temperature is maintained at a steady 70-74 degrees year round.
