Over the past century, the supply chain has evolved from relatively basic and local,  to a sophisticated series of processes which spans across the entire globe. To look at the cold chain’s impact on consumers, we’ll walk you through the evolution and history of the industry.

The Origins of the Cold Chain

For hundreds of years, people have been trying to find the best ways to ship perishable goods while maintaining the freshness and wholesomeness. The need to create a reliable system to keep food cold during the journey from the grower/manufacturer to the point of use was crucial. While the global cold chain is relatively modern, the refrigerated movement of temperature sensitive goods dates back to 1797 when British fishermen used ice to preserve their fish stockpiles. In 1930, Frederick Jones designed and patented a portable air-cooling unit for trucks carrying perishable food. By the late 1930s, refrigerated rail cars and trucks were carrying perishable foods long distances. The Interstate Highway Act of 1956 enabled rapid growth of the cold chain industry.

Today’s Cold Chain

The cold chain and refrigerated trucks have come a long way. Emerging technologies have allowed for a high level of control in each aspect of the cold chain. The cold chain industry contributed to $56 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product and accounted for 67,000 jobs in 49 states in the year 2012. With the United States being the global leader in the development of efficient cold chain technologies and management processes, we’re positioned to capture a large share of the global market.

Get in Touch with Cargo Data

For more information about monitoring the cold chain and its processes, contact the experts at Cargo Data Corporation at (800) 338-8134. We’re ready to set you up with a superior temperature monitoring system and answer any questions you might have.