The Gorrie Museum is small but does a good job of relating the significance of Dr. Gorrie's contributions. The earliest version of air conditioning was actually an ice machine (above), for which Dr. Gorrie held the original patent. (This reminded me of the ice machine in Paul Theroux's "Mosquito Coast"). By suspending ice over bed ridden patients battling tropical diseases, he was able to alleviate their sufferings. While his invention sadly did not catch on in his lifetime, he had successfully laid the groundwork for the air conditioned world that we cannot imagine living without.
And, again, who knows what Appalachicola would be like if it weren’t for this claim to fame.
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