ADDITIONAL HISTORY

EARLY WORK

Many chemists of the early 1800's were experimenting with gasses and realized that to keep them in liquid form they must have a stronger container than glass which often broke under the high pressure needed keep the gasses liquid. Thilorier and others tried stronger metal chambers. Metal vassals worked to keep CO2 at 63 times normal atmospheric pressure but hid the liquid from view. When the metal chamber was opened the liquid rapidly boiled off before the color and viscosity could be observed. Thilorier realized that by creating a larger amount he could have more time to observe the liquid CO2.

PREST AIR DEVICES

Prest Air Devices was a company formed in Long Island City, New York in 1923. Thomas Benton Slate, the inventor and co-owner of Prest Air Devices made solid dry ice for demonstration purposes, but it wasn't until Mr. George C. Cusack and Mr. A. J. Whaley joined the company in 1924 that they tried to sell dry ice to the railroad companies to use for cooling in place of ice. Based upon the potential rail road business Mr. August Heckscher invested the capitol to build a dry ice production plant. In 1925 Mr. Slate left the company for the west coast and built a better dirigible. The successful Prest Air Devices were sold off and the company was incorporated as DryIce Corporation of America, who trademarked the name DryIce in 1925.

Description of Product:

     DryIce is frozen carbon dioxide-the gas that is in all carbonated beverages. It is similar to a white water ice in physical characteristics, only very much colder.

     Its temperature is about 114 degrees below zero, Fahrenheit (-80 C.) but because it evaporates to a gas it can be readily insulated with various thicknesses of insulation to cool its surroundings to any desired temperature above this point.

     DryIce melts to a dry gas, heavier than air, and is mildly sterilizing in effect. The rate of melting is remarkably slow.

It Is Dry:

     There is no drip; the evaporation is a dry, harmless gas. This permits shipment of perishables by mail of express in non-returnable paper boxes. There is no water or moisture to damage the article being shipped.

Its dryness eliminates the expensive pick-up of "empties" and permits a much greater proportion of the load capacity to consist of the material to be refrigerated.

If you have a refrigeration problem look into DryIce. It may save you a capitol investment.

1.    What is it?— Solid carbon dioxide (CO2 ) - the same harmless gas used to charge all carbonated beverages.

2.    Why is it called DryIce?— Because it evaporates to a dry harmless gas. There is no moisture or water.

3.     How cold is it?— 114° below zero or 146° colder than water ice.

4.      What does it look like?— A block of white marble.

5.      How long does it last?— In an approved storage box, it will lose about 10% of its weight each 24 hours. A forty-pound piece placed uncovered in a store window in midsummer will last about 28 hours; in an approved storage box, from one to two weeks.

6.      How is DryIce kept? — In a balsa-wood storage box. A balsa box having a DryIce capacity of 200 pounds costs approximately $25.00.

7.     Why is a Balsa-wood box used?— Because balsa wood insulates as well as cork board, is considerably lighter, and requires no metal lining.

8.     How is it shipped?— In solid blocks 10" x 10" x 10", weighing approximately 40 pounds each. These blocks are shipped in a balsa-wood box, containing 200 pounds. The weight of the box is about 100 pounds. The cost is $30.00 to $45.00. The ice is removed from the shipping box, placed in a storage box, and the shipping box returned by express. Shipments for points outside New York are made by express; deliveries in New York City by trucks.

9.     What does DryIce save?
                 (a) Weight — An equal amount of ice cream packed by the DryIce method weighs only 1/4 as much as if packed the old fashioned way. This cuts shipping and delivery costs to a minimum.
                 (b) Corrosion — When DryIce is used corrosion is eliminated. This of course is due to the lack of moisture. Because of this important feature, the repair bills on truck bodies or refrigerator cars are greatly reduced.
                 (c) Dampness and Damage — A wet and sloppy condition necessarily exists whenever ice and salt are used. Brine leakage causes untold damage particularly in connection with express shipments. Caterer's customers and apartment dwellers object to sloppy ice pails and welcome DryIce packing.
                 (d) Delivery Expense — Light dry "one-time" or "throw-away" packages eliminate loss, upkeep, and the expense of picking up empty containers.

10.     How is it being used at the present?— For the refrigeration of perishables in transit. For instance, ice cream is being successfully packed with DryIce to keep firm for any period from 2 hours to 6 days, depending on the type of container and the amount of ice used.

11.     What kind of container is used for delivering ice cream packed with DryIce?
                  (a) Corrugated cartons of approved types are recommended. The use of the carton eliminates the necessity of ice, salt and tub.
                  (b) Other containers; shipping jackets, bags, and insulated shipping boxes.

12.    How is DryIce applied to these packages?
                  Pints — Your regular carton is placed inside an approved corrugated container. One-half pound of DryIce in a paper bag is placed on top inside box and the package sealed securely with gummed tape. This will hold the cream firm for 6 to 8 hours.
                  Quarts — Follow the same procedure except 3/4 of a pound of DryIce is required to keep cream firm for 6 to 8 hours.
                  4 Quarts — Follow the same procedure except 2 pounds of DryIce is required to keep cream firm for 6 to 8 hours. If cream is to be kept for 12 hours place 1 pound of DryIce on bottom of carton in addition to the 2 pounds on top.
                  8 Quarts — Place 1 1/2pounds of DryIce in bottom of corrugated carton, the box of cream on top of this, and put 2 1/2 pounds of DryIce in a bag on top of cream. Carefully seal the carton. This will hold contents for 12 hours.
                  3 and 5 Gallon bulk shipments — We have developed a "one-time" or "throw-away" ice cream can for these shipments, which when used in conjunction with DryIce and corrugated cartons of approved type, eliminates the expense and annoyance of handling tubs and cans which must be collected.
    In packing 3 gallon shipmen, place 2 3/4 pounds of DryIce on top and 1 3/4 pounds of DryIce on bottom.
    In packing 5 gallon shipments, place 3 pounds of DryIce on bottom and 4 pounds of DryIce on top. Wrap ice in 3 thicknesses of ordinary wrapping paper, can and ice bag.

13.     Can DryIce be used for ice cream dispensing cabinets? — Most certainly! DryIce ice cream cabinets eliminate all plumbing connections, drains, etc. There are no repair bills, no machinery, no moisture to cause corrosion. This is the cleanest, lightest, and smallest ice cream box ever designed. The operating expense on these  cabinets compares favorably with that of methods now in use.

14.     What is the DryIce counter box? — A clean, light, dry box that takes up a minimum of counter space and can be attractively decorated for advertising purposes. For the first time in history of the ice cream industry it is possible to display boxes of ice cream on the dealer's counter in full view of his customers.

15.     What is the best way to cut DryIce to desired sizes? — The most convenient method of cutting is with a power band saw. (sic. still used today) However, in many cases where the amount of ice cream packing would not warrant the installation of the power saw, a rough toothed hand saw is used.
    To make small blocks of DryIce place a sharp blow with hammer. (sic. using goggles) Since the weight of DryIce is uniform (.038 lbs. per cubic inch) the operator very soon learns to estimate the proper amount of ice for the desired result. The more it is broken up the greater the evaporation.

For your information:
      7x7x 3/4   weighs 1 1/2 pounds approximately
      7x7x 1      weighs 2       pounds approximately
      7x7x 1 3/4 weighs 2 1/2 pounds approximately
      7x7x 1 1/4 weighs 3       pounds approximately

16.     Who is using DryIce now? — Space does not permit listing all of our customers. A few, however, are:
         Abbotts Alderney Dairies, Inc.
         Breyers Ice Cream Company
         Burdan Bros.
         Consolidated Dairy Products, Inc.
         Crane Ice Cream Co.
     

17.     How are caterers using DryIce?  — For home delivery of ice cream and fancy forms. To deliver fancy forms, place the form in a carton, which with DryIce on top is placed in a corrugated shipping box.
The amount of DryIce used for this purpose varies from 2 to 5 pounds depending on the time which will elapse between putting up the package and unpacking.

18.     What uses other than those described above?
              Refrigerating Union News train baskets and boxes.
              Serving ice cream in ball parks — outdoor gatherings —and factories.
              Ice cream trucks.
              Meat and fish shipments.
              Meat and fish trucks.
              Carload shipments of perishables.
              Butter boxes.
              Milk shipments.
              Low temperature laboratory tests.
              The potential uses of DryIce are too numerous to mention. Our laboratories are constantly working out new applications for this wonderful refrigerant.

19.     Is DryIce practical for household refrigeration? — One of the outstanding possibilities is the domestic refrigerator, upon which we have done much work. We are not yet ready to put the DryIce household refrigerator on the market. The construction of the present household refrigerator makes it impractical and uneconomical as a container for DryIce.

         The DryIce Corporation controls basic patents covering methods of refrigeration with DryIce (solid carbon dioxide) as well as patents issued and applied for on commercial methods of manufacturing of DryIce. The methods and packages as described in this booklet are covered by specific patents issued and pending in addition to the major patents mentioned above.

DRYICE CORPORATION OF AMERICA
50 East 42d Street, New York, N. Y.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I wish to thank Dry Ice Investigations for their introduction to the beginning history of dry ice in the early 1800's.

I wish also to thank Joseph Marchiony who wrote:

"My father was in the ice cream manufacturing business starting in the 1920's.  He may have been the first or one of the first to use dry ice when it came out to send spumoni all over the country.  I have been sorting through some family "history" things and came across a rather long article about dry ice as a NEW product and what it could be used for. I was about to throw it out and thought to see if there was any organization that might be interested in having it.  It dates probably to the late 20's or early 30's."

The first brochure is clearly identified from DryIce Corporation of America, and printed in 1927 and is transcribed completely above.

The second is pages 73 through 82 from a larger magazine or book  the size of "Life" Magazine. The article is titled "109 Degrees Below Zero" and covers 8 pages. Because it gives the total production of dry ice in America for 1932, I believe it was written in 1933. Neither the article nor the finish of another article about Bull fighting in Madrid have any Authors Name! There are two full page advertisements, one on page 79 from J. Walter Thompson Company and the other on page 81 from Young & Rubicam, Inc. There isn't anywhere on any page a name of the book or magazine! You may read the whole article from this PDF file: -109Degrees

Ken Ackerman