Americans have a unique obsession with ice, but how and when did it start? Most other countries don’t seem to have anywhere near the same infatuation with it. Yet in the U.S. you’d be hard-pressed to find an establishment that doesn’t cater to those wanting a cooler drink in these days of rising temperatures. Well it turns out that because of the planet’s cooler temperatures in the 19th century, people used to carve large blocks of ice out of frozen bodies of water—using these blocks for a variety of storage, including for food, medicines, and drinks. And according to a WBGH article, in 1806, a Massachusetts resident named Frederic Tudor (dubbed the “Ice King”), took it upon himself to ship these blocks of ice to people who lived in warmer climates.

Despite a few years of confusion and dismay with a melting product the people in these locales had never previously encountered, Tudor succeeded in his quest to make ice a capitalist venture. In the late 19th century one of the effects of the Civil War was that the ice supply was cut off from the North, paving the way for machine-made ice. Today, ice is just as popular in the U.S. with clear ice taking honors as the gold standard. For those interested in reading more about how the U.S.’s obsession with ice began, take a peek at Amy Brady’s book, “Ice: From Mixed Drinks to Skating Rinks — A Cool History of a Hot Commodity,” which she delved into on GBH’s Under the Radar.

True Residential’s advanced Clear Ice Machine—which has a variety of augmented features, delivers the finest clear ice possible giving homeowners an entertainer’s staple with a mixologist’s dream (clear ice melts at a much slower pace than most other ice). In addition, the indoor/outdoor unit utilizes a natural hydrocarbon refrigerant—a nontoxic refrigerant that is climate friendly and cost effective. And for those who love to host cocktail nights and/or pool parties, the Clear Ice Machine’s bin capacity is 28lbs, but the model can produce an industry-leading 85lbs of ice per day. And that’s without mentioning the 30% increase in energy efficiency and a 16% decrease in water usage than its predecessor. To provide a bit of playfulness, the True Clear Ice Machines are also outfitted with patented TruLumina lighting that offers a choice of 14 ambient colors at the push of a button. Lastly, the unit is also available panel ready or in any combination of the brand’s Build Your True collection of custom color and hardware finishes.