When were ice cube trays invented?

The invention of the ice cube tray can be attributed to multiple individuals and periods in history.

• 1844 - The first known precursor of the ice cube tray was patented in 1844 by John Gorrie, based in Florida. Gorrie's invention consisted of a mold with compartments for making and extracting ice cakes, which were used for medical purposes like creating ice packs for patients.

• 1910 - The beginning of the 20th century saw continued improvements to ice cube molds. Samuel Prescott created a mold that filled all the compartments with a single pour.

• 1930 - By the 1930s, ice cube trays resembling modern designs were becoming more common. Alfred Mellowes, a Wisconsin native, is often mentioned as one of the key inventors who designed and produced ice cube trays with individual cube sections.

• 1936 - The development of the refrigerator with a separate freezer compartment contributed to the widespread adoption of ice cube trays in households.

• 1960s - During this period, plastic replaced metal and became the standard material for ice cube trays.

• 1980s - The innovation continued with features such as easy ice cube release mechanisms, covers to prevent spills, and different shapes beyond the common square or rectangular cubes.

Therefore, the credit for inventing ice cube trays is spread over different inventors who contributed to the concept over time, making it an evolution rather than a single moment of creation.