Do you ever stop to think about the ice cubes keeping your crisp lemonade cool? Take a moment to learn about the history of ice, and you might just appreciate your next glass even more.
When you think of miraculous modern conveniences, your freezer probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. It’s unlikelier still that you’re aware of the decades of struggle and innovation, as well as the shifts in international trade behind the common ice cube. Indeed, the story of how ice became one of the most important exports in the history of the United States and permanently altered the way we consume and ship goods is one you likely haven’t heard. We’re here to defrost the mystique and bring you the facts about this important innovation in food history.