Ice delivery to homes in the U.S. during the early days was quite the process. The ice was cut into blocks weighing 25, 50, and 100 pounds, which is approximately 11, 23, and 45 kilograms respectively. These blocks were then loaded onto horse-drawn ice wagons, and an iceman would drive the cart to deliver the ice to households.
The iceman would use ice tongs to hold and maneuver the ice cubes, ensuring they didn't slip from his grasp. These tongs were essential for handling the heavy blocks of ice safely. It required strength and skill to lift and transport the blocks, especially considering the weight and the potential slippery nature of the ice.
Deliveries of ice could occur either daily or twice daily, depending on the needs of the household. The frequency of deliveries was determined by factors such as the climate, the size of the household, and the availability of ice in the area. In hot summer months, when ice was in high demand for cooling purposes, daily deliveries were more common.
To make the deliveries, the iceman would navigate the horse-drawn ice wagon through the streets of the neighborhood. This was not an easy task, as the roads were not always smooth, and the weight of the ice could make the wagon jostle and sway. The iceman had to have good control over the horses and a steady hand to ensure the ice remained secure during transportation.
Once the iceman arrived at a customer's home, he would bring the ice inside. This required navigating through doorways and hallways, sometimes with tight spaces. The iceman would carefully maneuver the heavy blocks of ice, ensuring not to damage any furniture or property in the process.
Upon reaching the icebox or ice chest, the iceman would use his ice tongs to carefully place the ice inside. The icebox was essentially a wooden or metal container insulated with materials like sawdust or straw. It was designed to keep the ice from melting too quickly, preserving its cooling properties.
In some cases, the ice would be directly placed into a household's icehouse. An icehouse was a separate building or structure where large quantities of ice could be stored. This allowed households to have a reserve of ice to last for days or even weeks, depending on their needs.
The delivery process itself required physical strength, skillful handling of the ice, and an understanding of the logistics involved. I can only imagine the challenges faced by the icemen, especially during extreme weather conditions or when dealing with difficult customers.
As a sommelier and brewer, I haven't personally been involved in ice delivery to homes. However, I can appreciate the importance of ice in certain aspects of my profession. Ice is often used for chilling wine and beer, maintaining their optimal serving temperatures. The delivery of ice to homes played a crucial role in ensuring people had access to this cooling element, enabling them to enjoy their beverages at their best.
Ice delivery to homes in the U.S. involved cutting the ice into blocks, loading them onto horse-drawn ice wagons, and delivering them to households. The iceman used ice tongs to handle the ice, and deliveries could occur daily or twice daily depending on demand. The process required physical strength, skillful handling, and careful navigation through the streets and homes. The ice was either placed directly into iceboxes or stored in icehouses for later use. This system of ice delivery was essential for keeping households cool during hot summer months and played a significant role in various industries, including the beverage industry.