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Harrison Refrigerator Model

Harrison Refrigerator Model
Source: Museum Victoria
Photo: Jon Augier

See a model of the first successful industrial refrigerator (1857).

James Harrison of Geelong developed the first successful industrial refrigerator in the early 1850s. This was an internationally significant invention and it was used in breweries, hotels and distilleries throughout Britain, Europe, South America and Australia. Over 70 refrigerators were built.

The model at Scienceworks was displayed at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, United States of America, from 1964 to 2002.