Refrigerator (Object Lessons)

Object Lessons is a series of short, beautifully designed books about the hidden lives of ordinary things. It may be responsible for a greater improvement in human diet and longevity than any other technology of the last two thousand years-but have you ever thought seriously about your refrigerator? That box humming in the background displays more than you might expect, even who you are and the society in which you live. Jonathan Rees examines the past, present, and future of the household refrigerator with the aim of preventing its users from ever taking it for granted again. No mere container for cold Cokes and celery stalks, the refrigerator acts as a mirror-and what it reflects is chilling indeed. Object Lessons is published in partnership with an essay series in The Atlantic. "Object Lessons is a series of short, beautifully designed books about the hidden lives of ordinary things. Have you ever thought seriously about your refrigerator? The box humming in the background actually displays who you are and the society in which you live. This book examines the past, present, and future of the electric household refrigerator with an eye towards preventing its users from ever taking it for granted again. No mere container for cold Cokes and celery stalks, the refrigerator is actually more like a mirror-and what it reflects is chilling indeed. Object Lessons is published in partnership with an essay series in the The Atlantic"-- Provided by publisher Intro; Title Page; Copyright Page; Contents; Introduction; 1. How Refrigerators Work; The icebox era; Enter the electric household refrigerator; Creating the cold; 2. How to Make Your Refrigerator Stand Out; How to stand out in a crowded market; Why do Americans have such big refrigerators?; The exterior; The interior; 3. Are the Benefits of Refrigeration Worth the Costs?; Powering the cold; Even locavores should love refrigerators; Life without a refrigerator; 4. Waste and Wants; More food, more waste; Recreating the winter; "Her Kitchen ... and Your Good Judgment"