Mike Beacham applies his understanding of thermodynamics and green energy to firms that produces thermal energy products. Another area of Mike Beacham's expertise is refrigerated transport vehicles. The refrigerated railroad car changed the world by allowing companies to ship perishable items such as meats, dairy, and fruits across vast distances. Called “reefers,” these all-wooden vehicles first emerged in the 1840s and initially transported milk and butter. Using manufactured ice, they could only go up to 400 miles before requiring a re-icing. However, the railroad industry responded by creating icing stations that obtained ice from lakes or through an artificial manufacturing process. Despite their existence in the 1840s, it took until 1867 for the first refrigerated railroad car patent to be registered in the United States. Filed by J.B. Sutherland, it featured insulation and ice bunkers containing between 9,000 and 11,000 pounds of ice at each end. Moreover, this unit used gravity to maintain air temperature. As the field became more developed, different cars were built, depending on the cargo they would contain. Refrigerated railroad cars remained the standard for shipping until the 1950s, after Fred Jones invented a cooling device for trucks.

1. Mike Beacham

2. Mike Beacham applies his understanding of
thermodynamics and green energy to firms that
produces thermal energy products. Another area
of Mike Beacham's expertise is refrigerated
transport vehicles.

3. The refrigerated railroad car changed the world
by allowing companies to ship perishable items
such as meats, dairy, and fruits across vast
distances. Called “reefers,” these all-wooden
vehicles first emerged in the 1840s and initially
transported milk and butter. Using manufactured
ice, they could only go up to 400 miles before
requiring a re-icing. However, the railroad
industry responded by creating icing stations that
obtained ice from lakes or through an artificial
manufacturing process.

4. Despite their existence in the 1840s, it took until
1867 for the first refrigerated railroad car patent
to be registered in the United States. Filed by J.B.
Sutherland, it featured insulation and ice bunkers
containing between 9,000 and 11,000 pounds of
ice at each end. Moreover, this unit used gravity
to maintain air temperature. As the field became
more developed, different cars were built,
depending on the cargo they would contain.
Refrigerated railroad cars remained the standard
for shipping until the 1950s, after Fred Jones
invented a cooling device for trucks.