Refrigerated trucks and railroad cars have had a great impact on the economy and eating habits of Americans. As the United States became more urbanized, the demand for fresh food shipped over long distances increased. Meat products were especially in demand.

In the mid-1800s, cattle raised in Texas were shipped by rail to Chicago, Illinois. Although it was more efficient to slaughter the cattle in Chicago and ship the carcasses to the East, rather than send live cattle east by rail, carcasses could only be shipped during the cold winter months. The first refrigerator car patent was issued in 1867 for a crude design developed by William Davis for meat-packer George Hammond. While Hammond was able to ship meat to Boston by 1872, the cars had to be reloaded with ice once a day, and the meat arrived discolored from contact...