"How the refrigerator got its hum" by Ruth Schwartz Cowan

• Perception of a huge market.
• Reliance on existing technology. Electrical compressors
• Intentional development of technology to handle the "cumbersome" problems of early refrigeration devices
• Competition with the gas absorption models.
• "The demise of the gas refrigerator was not the result of inherent deficiencies in the machine itself. The machine was not perfect when it was first brought on the market, but it was no less perfect than the compression machine, its rival. The later succeeded for reasons that were as much social and economic as technical."

1. Economic resources of developers
2. Lack of competition to keep price of gas model down.
3. Electric model was first, and widely advertised.

• "...well then, the vast majority of Americans might have absolutely quiet and virtually indefatigable refrigerators in their kitchens. The machine that was "best" from the point of view of the producer was not necessarily "best" from the point of view of the consumer."