The Untold Story of Refrigeration with Nicola Twilley

Undercurrent Stories

In this fascinating episode, we dive into 'The Untold Story of Refrigeration' with Nicola Twilley, acclaimed author of the book Frostbite and co-host of the podcast 'Gastropod'. Join us as we explore the hidden history and profound impact of refrigeration on our lives, from ancient ice harvesting to the sophisticated cold chain logistics that keep our global food supply fresh.
Nicola takes us on a journey through time, revealing how refrigeration has revolutionised everything from food preservation to medicine, and even the very way we live. You'll learn about the unexpected innovations that led to the modern refrigerator, the environmental challenges of keeping things cool, and the surprising ways refrigeration continues to shape our world today.
Whether you’re a history buff, a science enthusiast, or just curious about the everyday technology we often take for granted, this episode will change the way you think about cold storage forever.
Key Topics Discussed:

- The origins of refrigeration: How ancient civilisations kept things cool
- The invention of the refrigerator: Key milestones and inventors
- The cold chain: How refrigeration transformed global food distribution
- The environmental impact of refrigeration and what’s being done to address it
- Future innovations in refrigeration technology
- Nicola Twilley’s personal journey into researching and writing about refrigeration


Episode Highlights:

- *[00:03:15]* – The origins of refrigeration and its early adopters
- *[00:15:42]* – How the modern refrigerator came to be
- *[00:25:30]* – The cold chain: An unsung hero of global food systems
- *[00:37:10]* – The environmental challenges of refrigeration today
- *[00:45:20]* – Future trends in refrigeration technology
Call to Action:
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Links and Resources
https://www.nicolatwilley.com/bio/
Gastropod Podcast
https://x.com/nicolatwilley
https://www.instagram.com/nicolatwilley/
Frostbite: How Refrigeration Changed Our Food, Our Planet and Ourselves
Intro and outro music, 'Time for a Coffee' Bob Wells © 2020
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