Discover how residents of the iconic Dakota apartment building and other people in late 19th-century New York City coped with sweltering summers before air conditioning transformed modern living.
This captivating video takes you back to the 1880s, exploring ingenious architectural designs like the Dakota’s 3-foot-thick masonry walls, which absorbed heat by day and released it slowly at night, and the stack effect, where warm air exited through high windows, drawing cooler air in from below.
Learn how wealthy residents maximized ventilation with strategic window use, employing heavy drapes to block sunlight and lightweight curtains for airflow, while adapting lifestyles with breathable cotton and linen clothing, lighter summer meals like cold soups and salads, and escapes to Hudson Valley mansions.
See the role of ice boxes and portable ice chests, precursors to refrigerators, in cooling kitchens and parlors, and witness the labor-intensive ice deliveries via horse-drawn wagons.
From tenement dwellers fanning themselves on fire escapes to affluent families hosting parties with ornate cooling devices, this video unveils a world of resilience and innovation in the face of heat. Perfect for history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, and anyone curious about pre-AC life!
Matt Coneybeare
Editor in Chief
Matt enjoys exploring the City's with his partner and son. He is an avid marathon runner, and spends most of his time eating, running, and working on cool stuff.
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