Frederick McKinley Jones

Description: (Inventor of 'Mobile Refrigeration Technology' for Transportation of Perishable Goods)

Frederick McKinley Jones was an American inventor and entrepreneur, who was also a pioneer in the field of automatic refrigerated transport systems. He is also known for the series of devices he designed for movie projectors used in the cinema industry. Born in Covington (Kentucky) near Cincinnati, he faced a difficult childhood. He dropped out of church school and was largely self-educated. He studied mechanics extensively and designed racing cars during his teenage years. After moving from place to place, he earned steady work on a Minnesota farm. Jones served in the U.S. army during World War I. He subsequently returned to farm work and continued designing devices. His soundtrack devices for movie theaters attracted the attention of a Minnesota entrepreneur, who offered him a job. Later, he designed a refrigeration unit for the transportation industry, which created history. Jones’s invention revolutionized the transport of food, blood, and other perishables. He co-founded the ‘US Thermo Control Company,’ later re-named the ‘Thermo King Company.’ He had 61 patents to his name, more than 40 of which were related to refrigeration. He was recipient of the ‘National Medal of Technology’ and was inducted into the ‘National Inventors Hall of Fame.’ He died of lung cancer at 67.

Overview

Birthday May 17, 1893 (Taurus)
Born In United States
City Cincinnati, Ohio
Died on February 21, 1961
Parents

Did you know

What is Frederick McKinley Jones known for? Frederick McKinley Jones is known for being an African American inventor who revolutionized the transportation industry with his invention of the refrigerated truck.
How did Frederick McKinley Jones impact the transportation industry? Jones' invention of the refrigerated truck made it possible to transport perishable goods over long distances, leading to the growth of the food industry and improving food safety standards.
What was Frederick McKinley Jones' most famous invention? Frederick McKinley Jones' most famous invention was the portable air-cooling unit for trucks, which allowed perishable goods to be transported long distances without spoiling.
What challenges did Frederick McKinley Jones face in developing his inventions? Frederick McKinley Jones faced racial discrimination and lack of formal education, but he overcame these challenges through his ingenuity and determination to become a successful inventor.
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