Summer Blockbusters!

Cinemas and air conditioning have had a love affair since the advent of both. For example, cooling systems are still used in projection rooms to make sure film doesn't melt while running through a hot camera and what's better than a bag of popcorn, a Coke and a Star Wars movie in a cool multiplex on a 90 degree day? 

But did you know the summer "Blockbusters" we enjoy every year are released around now due to air conditioning in theaters? 

An air conditioned system was introduced on Memorial Day weekend, 1925, at the Rivoli Theater in Times Square. Ticket sales skyrocketed. The addition of cooling to theaters made summer a popular time to see movies thus encouraging Hollywood to release high budget, heavily marketed "blockbusters" every year as the mercury rose.

So remember this year when you are watching our favorite super hero from Queens swing across the big screen that air conditioning is responsible for all those car chases, explosions and special effects you enjoy every summer! Stay cool!