Which invention was most important in revolutionizing the meat industry?

Which invention was most important in revolutionizing the meat industry?

a) air brakes

b) knuckle couplers

c) the Pullman car

d) the refrigerator car

Answer

The most important invention that had of great impact on the enhancement of the meat industry in the 19th century was the refrigerated railway car, famously referred to as the ‘reefer car’. Before this idea, meat could only be transported for a short distance since it would spoil, which greatly restricted the industry. The reefer car rose above this drawback by extending the possibilities of transporting fresh meat which would help the producers extend meat marketing to areas far from the source of production.

This technological advancement paved the way for the creation of large-scale meat-packing firms and the rise of major meat-packing destinations such as Illinois Chicago and Kansas City. In this respect, the reefer car did not only alter the method of transportation for meat but also food in general. Early designs of the cooler were insulation and ice blocks, advanced with time through to more advanced methods of cooling beside the ice blocks. JB Sutherland in 1867 came up with the first effective refrigerator car design, characterized, by features such as; insulation, floor outlets, roof ventilation, and ice reserves in the two ends of the cars. The technology of Ford continued developing and with time new features were added; especially, air conditioning was installed in the cars in 1941 and better insulation techniques were incorporated around the same time. By providing the means of transporting perishable goods to retain their temperature for extensive distances it revolutionised the meat industry as well as food transportation as a whole, as it made way for the way of transporting many forms of fresh food all across the country.