Kelvinator’s roots begin in Detroit, Michigan in 1914 when an ambitious Nathaniel B. Wales announced his idea for an electric refrigerator unit that was designed for household use. Wales idea was seen as innovative and was financially backed by the secretary of Buick Automotive company, Arnold Goss.
At the time, the new household appliance would be sold under the Electro-Automatic Refrigerating Company name. Within two years, the name was changed to the Kelvinator Company.
The organization prospered and by the 1920s, Kelvinator claimed 80% of the electric refrigerator market. Growth continued as Kelvinator acquired the Leonard company, followed by a merger with Nash Motors which spawned the Nash-Kelvinator Corporation. The Kelvinator brand continued to acquire and change hands until the 1980s when the parent company, White Consolidated Industries, was acquired by Electrolux.
Today, Kelvinator has moved from household electric refrigerators to produce numerous commercial products. These include specialized freezers intended for ice cream storage and presentation as well as large chest and walk in freezers. The refrigerator display units offered by Kelvinator are intended for back room and sales floor use, with varying sizes to accommodate small and larger businesses.
Kelvinator has also expanded its commercial production to include lines of scientific refrigerators. These can be used in laboratories and hospitals and include large and small models. Consumers can still find a handful of Kelvinator household refrigerator units, which often feature the traditional top freezer design in standard white.
Other typical features include large crisper drawers, temperature controls, and interior lighting. Kelvinator has come a long way since the company was first conceived in 1914. The company continues to focus on innovation as it expands its horizons through products tailored to very specific commercial and scientific uses.