Ceiling fans have fallen in and out of favour over the years, but in the nearly 150 years since their inception, ceiling fans still make up a large portion of the cooling solutions market. This humble invention has work wonders for maintaining comfort and cool temperatures in all manner of environments, from scorching Mumbai offices to hellish humid bedrooms in Africa. We are taking a look at the history of ceiling fans so you can see the journey that we at Solent have joined, and undertake with pride.
The First Ceiling Fan Came from… Sewing Machines?
The first electrically powered ceiling fan was devised and invented by Philip Diehl in 1882. Diehl was, in fact, the inventor of the electric motor that powered the first electrically powered Singer sewing machine, and it was this that inspired him to attach two blades to the motor and create an electric fan.
By the 1910s, the ceiling fan was fitted with a light kit and four blades instead of two, which became the basic schematic for ceiling fans going forward, right up to present day designs. Commercial sales of ceiling fans had skyrocketed, and they were quickly becoming a household must-have.
The Rise of Ceiling Fans in America
As the 1920s got well on their way, ceiling fans came standard in homes across the United States and were starting to spread internationally. Unfortunately, the advent of the electric air conditioning unit caused ceiling fans to slowly drop in popularity, almost becoming unused in the United States by the 1960s.
And the Rest of the World
Whilst ceiling fans were rising and falling in the United States, they had quickly become popular in many other countries around the globe. Countries with hotter climates and fewer electrical and financial resources relied on the energy efficient ceiling fan as opposed to the power-hungry air conditioner.
Towards the 1970s, a joint venture between Greaves Cotton of India and Crompton Parkinson of England resulted in the most energy efficient ceiling fan yet. The initial growth was slo, but eventually the brand found major global success – unfortunately due to the energy crisis of the 1970s and 1980s. Consuming less than 100 watts per hour, these fans quickly replaced their predecessors and set the course for ceiling fans as we know them in the twenty-first century.
And Thus Ceiling Fans Remained
And so, the rest is indeed history! Today, ceiling fans are a great energy efficient cooling solution suitable for all manner of applications from residential to commercial to industrial. Solent pride ourselves on our high-quality ceiling fans with impressive life spans, knowing that we can guarantee effective cooling solutions – and comfort – for you. Contact us to chat about how we can keep you cool this Summer.
