Willis H carrier

Abstract

Willis H Carrier, the Father of Air Conditioning, placed the science of air conditioning on a firmscientific basis in the year 1911, in his paper ‘Rational Psychrometric Formulae’ — widely known also as the ‘Magna Carta of Psychrometrics’. This paper was presented at the annual meeting of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). The centenary of this historic event happens to be the past year 2011. Amongst his many achievements are his contributions to development of the Psychrometric Chart (which remains essentially the same as the chart presentedmore than a century ago), the Law of Constant Dew-Point Depression, Dew-Point Control and the invention of the Centrifugal Refrigeration Machine.

His contributions to the industry, the way he tackled the technical and engineering aspects of his work, his business acumen and his leadership qualities are fairly well known. Also, recalled here are several episodes and anecdotes of his career and life, which present the pictures of ‘Carrier, the Man’, ‘the Genius’, ‘the Leader’ and other facets of his rich personality.

Carrier’s Early Life