Baltzar von Platen and Carl Munters are two young Swedish engineering students with a crazy idea. They are convinced the best way to create a cooling effect is to use heat. They believe so wholeheartedly in the idea that they regularly cut class to work on it. Finally, after many long days and nights, they manage to design a cooling cabinet with no compressor, no moving parts – and no ice. Simply by applying heat to a boiler, a cooling agent circulates in the system, absorbing the heat and thereby creating a cooling effect. Their cabinet turns out to be the world’s first refrigerator, and one of the most important inventions of the century.
1920 - 1950, Even Einstein thought we were cool
The cooling cabinet that Baltzar von Platen and Carl Munters invented is granted a patent. Even the great Albert Einstein is impressed, calling their invention a stroke of genius. In the same year, Arctic, an appropriately named Swedish company, acquires the manufacturing rights. It doesn’t take long for Electrolux, a growing appliance company, to see the potential. In 1925, the company acquires Arctic. In the years following World War II, refrigerators find their way into every middle-class home. Sales are in the millions of units.
1950 - 1970, The birth of Dometic
In the 1950s, building on the success of the refrigerator and vacuum cleaner, Electrolux starts to make inroads into the leisure market. Especially in America, which is riding a massive post-war boom. To strengthen its presence in a growing segment, the company acquires groundbreaking innovations and strong brands whenever and wherever it makes good business sense. By the end of the 1960’s, Electrolux gives its leisure appliances division a name: Dometic.
In the 1950s, the more easily manufactured compression technology is increasingly used for home refrigerators. But the completely silent absorption technology remains the best choice for refrigerators in for example RVs and boats.
1970 - 2000, Expanding the leisure product line
It becomes increasingly clear that ever more people across the world want to live mobile. For some, like professional truck drivers, it’s business. For the rest, it’s leisure. But they all share essential needs – like cooking, taking care of personal hygiene and maintaining a pleasant temperature. Electrolux continues the expansion into new markets and technologies. A number of company acquisitions are made, and many of Dometics present product segments are added.
2001 - Today, Becoming a global lifestyle brand
The new century marked the start of an independent Dometic. In 2001, following a strategic decision to focus on its core retail business, Electrolux divests its interests in the leisure market to EQT, a private equity firm. Dometic has to stand on its own feet. Which it does by staying true to its roots and relentlessly developing smart, often award-winning, solutions. More important acquisitions are made, further broadening the product range. Today, Dometic is not only a provider of solutions for mobile living. The company has become synonymous with an outdoor lifestyle which spans from your home patio and garden, to the adventurous wilderness. Devon 4x4 is an official distributor of Dometic, based in the UK, shipping worldwide.