10 Things to Know about William Cullen: The Scottish Doctor Who Invented Refrigeration (2024)

Before the refrigerator was invented, different civilizations from across the world had figured out ways to keep things cold or frozen. Around 1000 B.C., the Chinese began cutting and storing ice. Five hundred years later, the Egyptians and Indians discovered that leaving earthenware pots out during cold nights could produce ice. The Greeks, Romans, and Hebrews stored snow in pits and covered them with various insulating materials.

In the modern world, refrigeration is a vital part of daily living. This is all possible thanks to William Cullen’s invention, which remains revolutionary. It has allowed for the mass transportation and storage of food, which helped to reduce food spoilage and improve public health. It also made many of the foods that we enjoy today, such as ice cream and frozen vegetables, possible. Cullen was more than just an inventor. He was also a pioneer in the field of medicine. He was the first to describe the physiological effects of cold on the body and developed new treatments for a variety of diseases.

Born in 1710 in the picturesque landscapes of Lanarkshire, Scotland, William Cullen was a man of many talents. His educational background spanned theology and medicine. In this article, we will uncover ten fascinating facts about his pioneering work in the field of refrigeration that continue to shape our daily lives.

1. William Cullen studied theology before choosing medicine

William Cullen was born in Hamilton, Scotland in 1710. He initially studied theology at the University of Glasgow but eventually shifted his focus to medicine. After graduating from medical school in 1736, Cullen worked as a ship’s surgeon for several years before opening his own medical practice in Hamilton.

In 1756, Cullen was appointed Professor of Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh. He quickly established himself as one of the leading chemists of his time. Cullen’s research interests were wide-ranging, but he was particularly interested in the chemistry of gases and the effects of cold on the body.

Cullen’s diverse educational background greatly influenced his later scientific endeavours. His training in theology gave him a strong foundation in logic and reasoning. His medical training gave him a deep understanding of human anatomy and physiology. His training in chemistry gave him the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct experiments and make new discoveries.

2. He worked as a ship Surgeon

After graduating from medical school in 1736, William Cullen served as a ship’s surgeon for several years. This experience gave him a first-hand understanding of the challenges of treating patients in different environments and with a variety of medical conditions. He also saw the devastating effects of food spoilage on long voyages at sea.

In 1741, Cullen opened his own medical practice in Hamilton, Scotland. He quickly established himself as a skilled and compassionate physician. He was also a keen observer of human nature and was known for his witty and insightful remarks. Cullen’s experience as a ship’s surgeon and physician helped to shape his later scientific work.

He was particularly interested in the effects of diet and environment on human health. He also developed a new theory of disease, which he called the “spasmodic diathesis.” This theory held that many diseases were caused by spasms, or contractions, of the muscles and nerves.

Cullen’s theory of disease was revolutionary and led to new treatments for a variety of conditions, including fever, gout, and rheumatism. He was also a pioneer in the field of public health and advocated for reforms such as improved sanitation, and clean water supplies.

3. Cullen was the first man to create ice artificially

In 1756, William Cullen gave the first public demonstration of artificial refrigeration at the University of Edinburgh. This was a ground-breaking event, as it marked the first time that humans had been able to create cold artificially. Cullen’s invention worked by creating a partial vacuum in a container of diethyl ether. This caused the ether to evaporate, and as it did, it absorbed heat from the surrounding air. This process cooled the air and produced a small amount of ice.

His demonstration was met with great amazement and excitement. People had been trying to create ice artificially for centuries, but Cullen was the first to succeed. His invention had the potential to revolutionize the food industry and make it possible to transport and store food over long distances. However, the invention did not become widely used for several decades, but it eventually led to the development of the modern refrigerator.

Today, refrigerators are an essential part of our lives, and we rely on them to keep our food fresh and safe to eat.

4. His love for chemistry inspired this great invention

His invention was motivated by his interest in the chemistry of gases, particularly in the way that gases behave under different pressure and temperature conditions. Cullen knew that when a gas evaporates, it absorbs heat from its surroundings. This is because the molecules of the gas need to absorb energy in order to break free from the liquid state. Cullen also knew that the pressure above it affects the boiling point of a liquid. At a lower pressure, a liquid will boil at a lower temperature.

He used this knowledge to develop his artificial refrigeration device. He placed a container of diethyl ether in a vacuum chamber. The vacuum reduced the pressure above the ether, which caused it to boil at a lower temperature. As the ether boiled, it absorbed heat from the surrounding air, which cooled it down.
Cullen’s device was able to produce a small amount of ice, but it was not very efficient. However, it was the first time that humans had been able to create cold artificially. Cullen’s invention paved the way for the development of modern refrigerators, which are essential for food preservation and public health.

5. William Cullen was also a pioneer in Medicine

William Cullen was not only a brilliant chemist and inventor, but he was also a pioneer in the field of medicine. He was the first to describe the physiological effects of cold on the body, and he developed new treatments for a variety of diseases, including fever, gout, and rheumatism.

Cullen’s work in medicine was based on his belief that the body is a complex system that should be treated as a whole. He also believed that it was important to consider the patient’s environment and lifestyle when making a diagnosis and developing a treatment plan. One of Cullen’s most important contributions to medicine was his work on the treatment of fever. At the time, fever was believed to be a beneficial response to infection. However, Cullen showed that fever could be harmful to the body, and he developed new treatments to lower fever, such as cold baths and compresses.

Cullen was also a pioneer in the treatment of gout and rheumatism. These diseases were previously thought to be caused by an imbalance of humors in the body. However, Cullen showed that they were caused by inflammation, and he developed new treatments to reduce inflammation, such as quinine and colchicum.

Cullen’s work in medicine had a profound impact on the way that diseases were treated in the 18th and 19th centuries. His ideas about the importance of treating the whole patient and considering the patient’s environment and lifestyle are still relevant today.

6. William figured out the cure for Malaria

William Cullen’s work on the treatment of fever was particularly important in the fight against malaria. Malaria was a major public health problem in the 18th and 19th centuries, and it is estimated that millions of people died from the disease each year. At the time, malaria was thought to be caused by bad air or a miasma.

However, Cullen showed that malaria was caused by a parasite that was transmitted by mosquitoes. He also showed that fever was a symptom of malaria and that it was important to treat fever to prevent complications and death.
Cullen developed a new treatment for malaria that involved using cinchona bark. Cinchona bark had been used to treat malaria for centuries, but Cullen was the first to show that it was effective in reducing the mortality rate from the disease.

He also developed a new way to prepare cinchona bark that made it more effective and less toxic. Cullen’s work on the treatment of malaria had a profound impact on the fight against the disease. His new treatments helped to reduce the mortality rate from malaria by up to 50%. His work also paved the way for the development of more effective treatments for malaria in the future.

7. Cullen was an empathetic and compassionate physician

William Cullen was a popular and respected physician. He was known for his kindness and compassion, as well as his expertise in medicine. He was also a gifted teacher, and he trained many of the leading physicians of the next generation. Cullen’s popularity and respect as a physician were due in part to his bedside manner. He was known for being patient and understanding with his patients. He also took the time to explain their conditions and treatments to them in a way that they could understand.

His expertise in medicine was evident in his research and teaching. He published several books and articles on medicine, and he taught at the University of Edinburgh for over 20 years. His students included many of the leading physicians of the next generation, such as James Currie, Matthew Baillie, and Thomas Beddoes. Cullen’s teaching was based on his belief that medicine was a science that should be taught in a systematic way. He developed new curricula and teaching methods that were more effective than those that were used at the time.

Cullen also encouraged his students to think critically and to conduct their own research. Cullen’s teaching had a profound impact on the development of medical education in the 18th and 19th centuries. His students went on to teach at other universities and to establish new medical schools. Cullen’s legacy can still be seen in medical education today.

8. His contribution to technology and the environment could not go unnoticed

William Cullen’s contributions to science and refrigeration have not gone unnoticed. He is remembered and celebrated as a pioneer of cooling technology, with various institutions and societies honouring his work.

One of the most notable honours that Cullen received was the Rumford Medal, which was awarded by the Royal Society of London for outstanding contributions to the application of science to the benefit of humanity. Cullen was awarded the medal in 1772 for his work on the development of artificial refrigeration. Several institutions and societies also commemorate Cullen.

The Royal Society of Edinburgh presents the William Cullen Prize every year to a young scientist who has made outstanding contributions to the field of chemistry. The William Cullen Memorial Lecture is held annually at the University of Edinburgh to celebrate Cullen’s life and work.

9. Cullen’s legacy is also preserved in the names of several places and things

The Cullen Glacier in Antarctica is named after him, as is the Cullen Building at the University of Edinburgh. The Cullen Society is a professional organisation for refrigeration engineers, and the Cullen Institute is a research centre at the University of Strathclyde.
William Cullen’s contributions to science and refrigeration are truly remarkable. He is a pioneer who made our world a better place. Institutions and societies worldwide honour and celebrate his legacy.

10. William Cullen’s invention greatly contributed to the Vapor-Compression Refrigeration Cycle

William Cullen’s invention of artificial refrigeration was a major breakthrough, but it was not until the 19th century that his ideas were expanded upon and led to the development of the vapor-compression refrigeration cycle.

The vapour-compression refrigeration cycle is a fundamental concept in modern refrigeration and air conditioning systems. It works by compressing a refrigerant gas, which causes it to heat up. The hot gas is then passed through a condenser, where it cools down and condenses into a liquid. The liquid refrigerant is then passed through an expansion valve, which reduces its pressure and causes it to evaporate. As the refrigerant evaporates, it absorbs heat from its surroundings, which cools them down.

Oliver Evans first developed the vapor-compression refrigeration cycle in 1805, but it was not until 1834 that Jacob Perkins built the first successful vapor-compression refrigeration system. Perkins’ system used ether as the refrigerant, but it was not very efficient and was prone to leaks.

In 1876, Carl von Linde invented the first practical vapour-compression refrigeration system using ammonia as the refrigerant. Linde’s system was much more efficient and reliable than Perkins’ system, and it quickly became the standard for refrigeration and air conditioning systems.

Cullen died on February 5, 1790, at the age of 79. He is buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh. His ground-breaking work in refrigeration has shaped our modern world in profound ways. His innovative spirit and scientific curiosity have left an enduring legacy, reminding us that even the lesser-known figures of history can change the course of technology and society.