2023 RETA Breeze Jan-Feb

DAVID BOYLE HISTORIAN VOLUME XXXII

Little thought is given to the contributions made to our industry by Scotsmen. I would daresay most would be hard pressed to compile a top 5 list of Scottish Refrigeration Engineers. But contribute they have. For evidence I would note the case of David Boyle. Known as a quick-witted man of Integrity with a desire to exceed, David was well liked. Professionally, in his lifetime, he advanced the art of Ice making to new heights. Born in Johnstone, Scotland on Halloween, October 31, 1837. He began his career as an apprentice Grocery Clerk and became fascinated with Ice cream. He would immigrate to Mobile, Alabama in 1859. At the end of the great war, he relocated again, this time to Demopolis, Alabama. It would be in Demopolis at the age of 27, that he would begin his refrigeration career. It is reported that he made over $8,000 that summer selling iced lemonade, produced with natural ice. A very successful lemonade stand, no doubt. But this endeavor would begin David’s longtime love of the ice machine. It began by searching for an ice machine to replace the need for natural ice. In November of 1865 David would travel to Augusta, Georgia. A rumor from the war charged that a fully functional ice machine was located there. When he arrived, he found the parties in the process of developing an Ice Machine, but they had no saleable machine at that time. While no evidence exists, I believe this to be the Emily

David Boyle.

Harvie Thomas Tubman Ice machine, she purchased to relieve the suffering of injured soldiers during the war. But I digress. David would see them again in 1866, at that time, their first saleable machine (2 Ton capacity) had just been produced and was destined for Shreveport, Louisiana. The costs of some $30,000 seemed high for his budget so David was determined to find a more affordable ice machine. For three years David searched to no avail until he heard of the Vander Weyde machine, a product of New Orleans, Louisiana. David then divested his homes, land, and business to raise capital for the machine. However, the machine did not prove out. A multitude of problems made the machine commercially unviable for David. David then relocated his family to San Francisco, California. His employment in San Francisco is unknown, but while there he studied at the technical library of the Mechanics’ Institute. Founded only 15 years before in 1854, the Mechanics’ Institute is one of first such institutions on the West Coast of the United States. They are still in operation today. One of the items David read in the library was a catalog

thing being oceeded to make periment I projected, in ollowing ner:” 14 RETA.com