Frederick McKinley Jones (1893-1961)

Frederick McKinley Jones was orphaned at a young age and raised by his Catholic priest until he dropped out of school at age 11. After a range of odd jobs, he became a janitor in the auto industry, eventually starting work as a auto mechanic teaching himself electronics until he was drafted into WWI. After the war, Jones returned to working on and inventing machines, building a transmitter for his town’s new radio system in the process. He also invented a system that overlaid sound and motion pictures. From this, he was hired to develop sound equipment for the movie industry. One day while driving, he thought up the idea of a system that could keep perishable food cool and fresh while in the car. This idea led to a patent (one of an eventual 60-some patents) for a vehicular refrigeration system. Not only did his idea change how we looked at seasonal foods but also the medical industry and transportation of lifesaving supplies such as blood and medicine.