Oct. 3, 1935
Mid-Year Meeting of NDHA’s Executive
Committee and Chairmen of the Standing
Committees in Greenville, Ohio
“Mr. Engle reported concerning incorporating the NDHA, stating
the cost of incorporation would be between Two Hundred and Fifty
and Three Hundred Dollars, depending upon the laws of the State in
which the incorporation should be made. Recommendation was made
that the Association be incorporated as soon as finances would permit.
Moved, seconded and carried that we adopt the report of Mr. Engle.”
“HOT WATER COMMITTEE. Mr. F. L. Witsell, Chairman, reported and
stated that since little hot water heat was sold, perhaps the committee
should be abolished, but the Executive Committee asked him to
keep his finger on the pulse of the work and make a short report
at the convention.”
“SALES DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE. Mr. R. J. J. Tennant, Chairman,
reported and asked that the committee be given from one and
one-half to two hours for its report, discussion and an inspirational
speaker. He stated further that the committee report would probably
cover the following subjects:
1. Fuel Price Change.
2. Measure of Intangibles.
3. Training of Employees.
The committee is doing a great amount of preliminary work on the
Sales Manual. Mr. J. E. Seiter made a sales talk on this feature of the
Sales Development Committee work and convincingly related the
merits of the Manual in making successful salesmen. The idea is to
have a group meeting, discussion groups with expert teaching personnel.
The Sales Manual will be available only to those companies participating in the ‘school.’ Members of the Association will be kept informed
of the progress of this work. Amendment made that the school be
financed by the sale of the service to members companies with the
exception of the Association doing some miscellaneous printing not
to exceed $500.00.”
IDEA archives.
NDHA held a trade show in a grand hall in 1941 during its annual conference in
Pittsburgh, Pa. At the far end of the hall, exhibitors were a company promoting
Unibestos, Warren Webster Co. (steam traps and repair parts), and Ric-Wil piping
company (back right). Other 1941 exhibitors included E.B. Badger & Sons (acquired by
Stone & Webster in 1948), Wright Austin Co. from Detroit, and the American
District Steam Co. (founded in 1881).
COOL FACTS
1931 – R- 12 introduced as commercial refrigerant, ushering in the fluorocarbon age.
1932 – R- 11 introduced as commercial refrigerant.
1936 – R- 22 introduced as commercial refrigerant.
1938 – A study of Detroit Edison workers shows that productivity increases 51 percent after
comfort cooling is installed.
– Centrifugal compressor introduced by Trane. This was the forerunner of the modern
water chiller, which combined a centrifugal compressor, condenser and evaporator
into a single unit.
1945 – R- 13 introduced as commercial refrigerant.
1950 – Sales of room air conditioners surpass 100,000.
– R-500 introduced as commercial refrigerant.
– The father of air conditioning, Willis Carrier, dies.
1955 – R- 14 introduced as commercial refrigerant.
1957 – The first rotary compressor is manufactured replacing the less efficient reciprocating
compressor allowing for the construction of small, lighter and quieter chillers.
1959 – The emergence of ASHRAE as we know it today, with the merger of two societies –
American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHAE) and the
American Society of Refrigerating Engineers (ASRE).
Sources: ASHRAE Centennial; “A History of Modular Chillers,” Tandem
Chillers; www.DuPont.com.
IDEA archives.
NDHA held its 42nd annual meeting at the Hotel Statler in
Detroit, Mich., in 1951. Located in the Foxtown neighborhood,
the 18-story structure was demolished in 2005 after standing
vacant for 30 years.
NDHA marked the organization’s 50th anniversary with a special
edition of District Heating magazine. The cover, table of contents and the
president’s message are featured on the following pages. The entire
publication, which includes a history of district heating, historical association
photos and numerous ads from past business partners, has been scanned and
included in our magazine archives. Visit
to read the April 1959 edition!
