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Washington, D.C., circa 1920. "Refrigeration box for parcel post, City Post Office." National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.
Now they have a laundry list of items that cannot be sent through the mails, complete with cartoon renderings of them on post office signs. Perishables are a no-no.
I am with the other posters, though. What in the WORLD were people sending back then that had to be refrigerated? And how would the postmen have gotten the items from that contraption to the recipients without refrigerated TRUCKS i.e. the ice cream man? Bizarre to say the least.
[See Stanton Square's post below. - Dave]
My family owns a farm with some commercial buildings from 1896. One used to house a grocery store and included a walk in freezer similar in appearance to this one. It was built up with milled wood planks on the inside and outside and filled with fragrant cork insulation. The cooling system consisted of an evaporator and fan on the inside of the box with the compressor / condenser located downstairs in a basement area about 25 feet away.
Many offices have been shown but this is the first one I have seen with roll-top desks and I have watched for them. My dad had one when he worked for the P.O. so, I wonder, is this something they specifically had on their list of acceptable/required furniture. Maybe that's where they kept the beer before refrigerating it.
Its quite hard for me to imagine, but at the time the parcel post was used for delivery of butter, eggs, and milk.
Washington Post, Aug 29, 1914Parcel Post Ice Box
New Postoffice Here Will Store
Foodstuffs Until Delivery.PLACE FOR BUTTER AND MILK
Precautions to protect the farm-to-table service by parcel post will be exercised as far as it is possible by the city postoffice organization when it enters its new building near the Union Station early next month. A refrigerator of adequate dimensions to store perishable products delivered by parcel post will be installed, so at least overnight protection will be given butter and milk arriving at the postoffice after delivery hours.
"Though the maintenance of such a refrigerator is not a new thing for the Washington services," said Assistant Postmaster L.J. Robinson yesterday. "the proposed plant at the new city postoffice will have possibilities for improvement which may make it a model for postoffices throughout the country, which are reported contemplating the same plan. A refrigerator is operated in the basement of the present city postoffice in the general building, where cold storage of perishable goods is possible."
...
"With the operation of our improved refrigerator system at the new city postoffice," said Mr. Robinson. "we hope to have a service above criticism of the public which, it is said, has complained of goods having been spoiled during delivery."
What in the world did people mail that needed to be refrigerated?
Let's ask the gentleman over on the right, who's been sitting there gazing out the window:
"Excuse me, sir, but exactly what mail needed refrigeration?"
"I dunno. We keep beer in the thing."
"Could it have been perishable medicines that were packed in ice?"
"Yeah, I guess.
Now we know where Jimmy Hoffa is.
They should stuff my local postmaster in this today and come back in a month!
I'm curious where the machinery would be.
Why would they want or need a "refrigeration box" for parcel post? It isn't like you send ice cream through the mail.
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