1851 - Dr. John Gorrie, a physician in Apalachicola, patented his ice-making machine today on this date. Gorrie, (1802-1855,) looking for a way to cool patients suffering from malaria fever, was granted Patent No. 8080 for an machine to make ice artificially. His invention led the way for commercial ice making machines and eventually for the development of air conditioning.  He is one of two Floridians honored with a statue in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C.

Imagine a Florida with NO air conditioning!!!!