Maya Ellison
The invention of the ice cube tray can be traced back to the early 19th century when ice first started to appear regularly in drinks. Over time, the material used to make ice cube trays has evolved from aluminum to plastic to soft silicone. While the inventor of the first ice cube tray is unknown, several individuals are credited with notable ice-making inventions. In 1933, Guy Tinkham invented the first flexible stainless steel, all-metal ice cube tray, and in 2007, the Tovolo Perfect Cube Ice Tray, made of silicone, was introduced, offering a soft and squishy alternative to the hard plastic trays that were previously available.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of Invention | 1933 |
| Inventor | Guy L. Tinkham |
| Vice-President of | General Utilities Manufacturing Company |
| Material Used | Stainless Steel |
| Type of Tray | All-Metal |
| Flexibility | Flexible |
| Other Notable Inventors | Lloyd Groff Copeman, Edward Roberts |
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What You'll Learn
The first ice cube trays
The invention of the ice cube tray can be traced back to the early 19th century when ice first started to appear regularly in drinks. The growing availability of ice fuelled a sudden popularity of cocktails and other drinks from Boston to New Orleans. However, it is unclear who invented the first ice cube tray. While some historians believe that American physician John Gorrie, who built a refrigerator in 1844 to make ice, may have invented the first ice cube tray, this cannot be confirmed.
In 1914, Fred Wolf invented a refrigerator called the DOMELRE, which included a simple ice cube tray. This inspired other refrigerator manufacturers to include ice cube trays in their designs. During the 1920s and 1930s, it became common for electric refrigerators to feature a freezer section with an ice cube compartment and trays.
In 1933, Lloyd Groff Copeman invented a rubber ice tray after noticing that ice and slush flaked off his rubber boots while walking through the woods. He then conducted experiments with rubber cups, leading to the invention of practical designs and patents for different types of trays, including metal trays with rubber separators and individual rubber cups.
Also in 1933, Guy L. Tinkham, a household product executive, invented the first flexible, stainless steel, all-metal ice cube tray. This was followed by the invention of the first aluminium ice cube tray in 1949 by Edward Roberts of Pennsylvania, which featured a lever to release the ice cubes.
Over time, the design of ice cube trays continued to evolve, with the introduction of hard plastic trays and, later, soft silicone trays, which offered improved flexibility and ease of use.
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Rubber ice trays
The invention of rubber ice trays can be traced back to 1928 when Lloyd Groff Copeman, an inventor, was walking through the woods to collect sap for maple syrup. He observed that slush and ice flaked off his rubber boots rather than adhering to them. This incident stayed with him, and he later discussed it with his patent attorney during lunch in 1933. Inspired by the unique properties of rubber, Copeman conducted experiments using rubber cups, which eventually led to the design and patent of several types of rubber ice trays.
One of Copeman's inventions was a metal tray with rubber separators, allowing for the easy removal of ice cubes without the tray itself being made of rubber. This design offered the benefits of both materials, combining the durability of metal with the flexibility of rubber. Another invention was a metal tray with individual rubber cups, providing a convenient way to make and remove ice cubes. This design ensured that each ice cube had a consistent size and shape, making it particularly useful for households.
The pinnacle of Copeman's inventions was the tray made entirely of rubber. This all-rubber ice tray revolutionized the way people froze ice at home. The flexibility of rubber allowed for easy removal of ice cubes without the need for running water or banging the tray on a countertop. The rubber material also prevented the ice cubes from sticking to the tray, ensuring that they could be easily extracted with just a simple twist or flex of the tray.
Today, rubber ice trays remain popular and are widely available in various materials, sizes, and shapes. They can be found in kitchen supply stores, department stores, and online retailers. Rubber ice trays offer convenience, flexibility, and ease of use, making them a staple item in many households. Whether used for cooling beverages or for their creative shapes in frozen treats, rubber ice trays have become an essential tool in the kitchen.
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Metal ice trays
Today, metal ice trays are still popular and widely available, with many modern options made from stainless steel. These trays often feature innovative designs, such as easy-release levers and stackable options, making them convenient and user-friendly. Stainless steel trays are known for their durability and safety, crafted with materials like 304 stainless steel, which contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel.
Vintage-style metal ice trays are also sought after, featuring a retro design with levers for removing cubes. These trays are often made from heavy-duty stainless steel and are dishwasher-safe, making them a practical choice for bars and kitchens. Additionally, some metal ice trays offer versatile options, such as single or 2-pack trays with different cube slot sizes, catering to various needs, from baby food freezing to cocktail preparation.
The availability of metal ice trays in different materials, such as aluminum, further expands the choices available to consumers. Metal ice trays are also marketed as eco-friendly alternatives to plastic, with some brands promoting sustainability and initiatives to reduce plastic waste. By choosing metal ice trays, consumers can contribute to a greener future while enjoying consistent, high-quality results.
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Aluminium ice trays
One notable example of an aluminium ice tray is the flexible, stainless steel, all-metal ice cube tray invented by Guy L. Tinkham, a household product executive, in 1933. This innovation added convenience and durability to the process of making ice cubes.
While plastic ice cube trays may be more common today, aluminium ice trays remain a testament to the evolution of ice cube-making technology and continue to find utility in modern times.
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Plastic ice trays
The evolution of the ice cube tray has come a long way, from rubber trays to flexible steel trays to aluminium trays to plastic trays. Plastic ice trays are believed to have replaced aluminium trays due to the latter being prone to mechanical failure and producing oddly shaped ice. Plastic ice trays were also cheaper than aluminium trays.
The first plastic ice trays were hard plastic trays that produced smaller blocks of tapered ice. These trays were hit or miss as they would sometimes result in ice shattering into shards. However, they were still preferred over the levered aluminium trays that produced a wondrous squeaky-cracking sound when the lever was activated.
The next evolution of ice cube trays came in 2007 with the Tovolo Perfect Cube Ice Tray made out of silicone. These trays were soft, squishy, and available in a variety of colours. Each tray made 15 cubes that were exactly one and a quarter inches per side, which was considered the ideal ice cube size. The genius of soft ice moulds like the Tovolo tray was that the cubes could be ejected gently and without breaking.
While the Tovolo tray was a success, some users complained about the time it took to remove the ice cubes as they had to be individually pressed out from the bottom. Despite this, the Tovolo tray offered a significant improvement over the hard plastic trays and continues to be a popular option for creating ice cubes.
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