The historical evolution of cooling technologies

The development of air conditioning can be traced through various ancient methods used to combat heat. Early civilizations employed diverse strategies, such as Egyptians using moistened mats to reduce indoor temperatures and the Chinese developing early rotating fans.

Ancient Romans utilized snow consumption and complex networks of aqueducts and pipes to circulate water through villas for cooling. Similarly, Arab architects implemented water-based systems, such as the permanent water circulation within the walls of the Alhambra in Granada. In Granada, the School of Arabic Studies (CSIC) preserves evidence of using water-filled vessels, similar to the logic of the 'botijo', to cool walls and insulate rooms.

These primitive cooling methods typically relied on a combination of thick walls, stone, water, and air currents. The transition toward modern air conditioning technology began to take shape significantly around 1758.