The system was basic yet effective. The ice would slowly melt and drain through a tiny pipe or pan that needed to be emptied regularly. Compared to today’s easy refrigeration, it was a completely different world—one in which daily existence took forethought, diligence, and a little hard labor.
Ice Delivery Is A Forgotten Profession
The discovery of the icebox brought up recollections of a now-extinct profession: the iceman. These diligent guys performed an important part in daily life, transporting enormous ice blocks with metal tongs to houses, restaurants, and even tiny stores.
Many homes would display placards in their windows stating how many pounds of ice they required that day. The iceman would chop and distribute the appropriate amount, frequently stopping in a neighborhood before moving on to the next municipality.
It was a working system, but it was also demanding. People had to schedule their meals based on how long the ice would last. The hotter the weather, the faster it melted; therefore, ice delivery became increasingly frequent during the summer
