Skip to main content

Air-conditioning

Society: ASME Main Category: Mechanical Sub Category: Environmental Control Era: 1940-1949 DateCreated: 1948 Commonwealth Building Portland State: OR Zip: Country: USA Website: http://www.asme.org/about-asme/history/landmarks/topics-a-l/environmental-control/-46-commonwealth-building-heat-pump-%281948%29 Creator: Graham, Charles , Belluschi, Pietro

The use of heat pumps for the heating and cooling of the Commonwealth Building, initiated in 1948, was a pioneering achievement in the western hemisphere. The theoretical conception of the heat pump was described in a neglected book, published in 1824 and written by a young French army officer, Sadi Carnot. Its practical application on a large scale is attributable to designers J. Donald Kroeker and Ray C. Chewning, building engineer Charles E. Graham, and architect Pietro Belluschi.

YearAdded:
1980
Image Credit: 1940s postcard featuring the new Commonwealth (Equitable) Building in Portland, OR. Image Caption: Commonwealth Building Heat Pump Era_date_from: 1948
Subscribe to Air-conditioning

The use of heat pumps for the heating and cooling of the Commonwealth Building, initiated in 1948, was a pioneering achievement in the western hemisphere. The theoretical conception of the heat pump was described in a neglected book, published in 1824 and written by a young French army officer,…

Read More

We hope you enjoyed this essay.

Please support this 70-year tradition of trusted historical writing and the volunteers that sustain it with a donation to American Heritage.

Donate

Stay informed - subscribe to our newsletter.
The subscriber's email address.