Before the advent of widespread air conditioning, residents in the Southwest United States endured intense heat. Dry conditions and little relief shaped daily life, prompting creative solutions. Many slept outside under damp sheets, while others altered schedules to avoid midday heat. A significant development emerged as the ‘swamp cooler’ offered respite.
Ancient civilizations applied basic cooling methods, such as fanning air over water in clay containers. In the early 20th century, the U.S. refined these principles, leading to the evaporative cooler, or swamp cooler. Oscar Palmer perfected America’s first evaporative system in 1908 in Arizona. The setup’s simplicity involved a fan pulling hot air through water-saturated, porous pads, cooling and humidifying it before directing it indoors.
By the 1930s, these devices transformed many areas, cooling states like New Mexico and Nevada. Even today, amidst modern air conditioning, swamp coolers aid in making arid regions bearable. According to Eric Verpolegen of CoolVeg, a nonprofit promoting evaporative cooling, dry climates like Arizona benefit more.
Traditional air conditioning became common in the 1950s, with central systems still considered a luxury. Swamp coolers persist, offering cost-effective, energy-efficient alternatives where climates permit. Ankit Kalanki from RMI, a clean energy nonprofit, notes evaporative coolers as viable where air conditioning is unavailable.
Such coolers struggle in humid environments due to air saturation. Experts note rising humidity as a challenge. Innovative solutions are emerging, combining evaporative cooling with humidity management for optimal results, explains Kalanki.
Evaporative coolers serve those lacking other cooling means worldwide. The increasing demand for cooling as temperatures rise heightens energy use, potentially escalating greenhouse gas emissions. Here, Palmer’s cooler technology and modern advancements become vital.
This article is part of the ‘American Objects’ series, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States.