Willis Carrier, born in 1876 in Angola, New York, revolutionized modern living with his invention of air conditioning. Initially solving a printing problem in 1902, he developed the principles of temperature and moisture control, leading to the creation of the Carrier Engineering Corporation. His invention transformed cities, making them livable in extreme heat and spawning cultural phenomena like the summer blockbuster.

• 01Carrier's pivotal moment occurred in 1902 on a foggy train platform in Pittsburgh, where he conceptualized the principles of air conditioning.
• 02He received his first patent in 1906 for an 'Apparatus for Treating Air', emphasizing environmental control rather than mere cooling.
• 03Carrier co-founded the Carrier Engineering Corporation in 1915 with an initial capital of $32,600.
• 04By the 1920s, air conditioning became essential in department stores and movie theatres, contributing to the popularity of summer blockbusters.
• 05Over 100 million air conditioning units are sold globally each year, highlighting the widespread impact of Carrier's invention.

Carrier's invention of air conditioning has made it possible for people to live and work comfortably in hot climates, significantly influencing urban development and lifestyle.