How the Ice Industry Heated Up and Cooled Off

One entrepreneur created a market, then technology killed it

Ice harvesters work in Massachusetts, 1850s (public domain)

You’ve probably enjoyed a nice, cool beverage today. If it’s a hot day where you are, you may have even plunked some ice cubes into your glass in order to keep your drink at an optimal temperature. Using ice for our personal comfort — today, among the most mundane of activities — was…