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English100 Years of Chilling Innovation: Celebrating a Century of Dry Ice
Dry ice was first commercialized in 1925
2025 marks a monumental occasion in the world of preservation, cleaning, and countless other applications: the 100th anniversary of dry ice!
From its intriguing discovery to its indispensable role in modern industries, dry ice has revolutionized how we approach everything from keeping perishables fresh to meticulously cleaning delicate surfaces.
What is the history of dry ice?
The story of dry ice begins before its use as a commercial product. The existence of solid carbon dioxide was first observed in 1835 by French chemist Adrien-Jean-Pierre Thilorier, who noted the formation of a snow-like substance when liquid carbon dioxide rapidly evaporated. However, it would take nearly another century for this scientific curiosity to become a commercially viable product.
For the next 60 years after its discovery, dry ice remained largely a laboratory curiosity, with scientists experimenting with its unique properties, but finding few practical applications.
In 1924, Thomas B. Slate of the Prest-Air Devices Company in New York applied for a U.S. patent for a method of making and selling solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) commercially. Prest-Air Devices began trying to sell dry ice to railroad companies for cooling purposes, as an alternative to regular ice. Recognizing dry ice's superior cooling power (about twice that of water ice), railroad businesses were intrigued.
In 1925, the Prest-Air Devices Company evolved into the DryIce Corporation of America. That same year, the company built the first dry ice production plant and officially trademarked the term "dry ice."
This groundbreaking invention quickly gained traction due to its unique property: the ability to sublimate directly from a solid to a gas, leaving absolutely no residue. This made it an ideal refrigerant, a vast improvement over traditional ice, which left a watery mess.
Early applications focused heavily on refrigeration for shipping perishable goods, solving a significant logistical challenge of the era. This novel property laid the foundation for its future diverse applications.
One of the earliest and most notable commercial uses was by Schrafft's, a confectionery store in New York City, which used dry ice to keep its ice cream frozen during transport and for customers to take home.
What is the history of dry ice blasting?
Over the decades, the utility of dry ice expanded dramatically. Its non-abrasive and residue-free characteristics made it a perfect candidate for specialized blast cleaning solutions.
The concept of using it for blasting began to take shape in the mid-20th century. The U.S. Navy began experimenting with dry ice blasting for degreasing applications as early as 1945. Later, in the 1970s, Lockheed Martin further developed the technology, specifically to remove paint and coatings from aircraft.
The commercial viability and widespread adoption of dry ice blasting took off in 1986 when Cold Jet patented modern single-hose dry ice blasting technology, leading to its current use in diverse industries for effective and environmentally friendly cleaning.
How is dry ice used today?
As dry ice celebrates its centennial in 2025, its applications have expanded dramatically.
Industrial Cleaning (Dry Ice Blasting)
Dry ice blasting uses dry ice pellets or MicroParticles, which are blasted at supersonic speeds and sublimate on impact, lifting dirt and contaminants off the underlying substrate. Dry ice cleaning is non-abrasive, non-conductive, non-toxic, and non-flammable, giving several advantages over other cleaning methods. It is also chemical free, water free, and does not create secondary waste streams. It effectively cleans everything from factory machinery to sensitive electronics without leaving residue.
View dry ice blasting applications here.
Refrigeration and Cold Chain Management
Dry ice is vital for keeping perishable goods frozen during shipping. It's perfect for transporting frozen foods, pharmaceuticals, and biological samples because it sublimates, leaving no messy liquid behind.
Learn more about dry ice cooling applications here.
Medical and Scientific Applications
In labs and healthcare, dry ice is crucial for storing biological materials like DNA and cells at extremely low temperatures. It's also used in some cryotherapy treatments and for cooling specialized equipment in scientific experiments.
Learn about dry ice in Life Sciences here.
Entertainment and Miscellaneous Uses
Beyond its industrial and scientific applications, dry ice excels in entertainment and other diverse roles. It's a key ingredient for creating dramatic low-lying fog effects in theaters, concerts, and haunted houses when combined with hot water, and adds a captivating "smoking" visual to drinks and food displays.
The Future of Dry Ice is Chilled
As we celebrate 100 years of dry ice, Cold Jet remains at the forefront of dry ice innovation. We are committed to developing new technologies and solutions that leverage the unique properties of dry ice, ensuring that its next century is even more impactful than the last!
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