How did people cool off before their was electricity?

Answer 1

They sat under a big oak tree for shade. Also, houses were built stragegically so that a nice cross breeze could come through regardless of how hot it got out. If you go to a house that was built before the 1900's you will see that it was specially positioned away from the direct rays of the sun and the main windows face toward and away from the direction of the wind.

Also older houses have windows above every interior door that could be opened for the purpose of allowing air to circulate from the top of the door out through the window.

Answer 2

Back when there was no electricity, cooling off wasn't such a big problem because they didn't have temperatures like we're experiencing today. They had the protection of a complete ozone layer and the humidity wasn't so bad because there was no smog.

However, they would cool themselves with manual fans, swimming in the local swimming hole or stream, and using ice. They basically did all the same things people without air conditioning do now.

Answer 3

Homes were not as insulated as they are now and ceilings were higher so heat could rise. Windows were probably left open so an occasional breeze could come through. Since there was no airconditioning people were more accustomed to the heat. We would definately suffer today because we are so used to having it. Thank God for electricity!

Answer 4

I do not know how they cooled off in the homes, but before there was a/c in autos/trucks the truck drivers would buy a block of hot ice and place it in front of a fan that came standard in all trucks. The fan would blow the cool off of the chemical ice and keep them a bit cooler.

Answer 5

They went swimming.
They went on vacations during the hottest part of the year to a cooler spot.
They fanned themselves or had servants that moved large ceiling fans with ropes.
They kept ice from the winter stored in ice houses packed in sawdust tat they used in the summer.
They wiped themselves with rubbing alcohol or colognes that were alcohol based.
They took naps during the hottest part of the day so they could shed most of their clothing and sleep through the worst of the heat.
They did more outdoor activities in the coolest parts of the day like picnics, barbecues, walks, and visiting.
Most houses had plenty of shade trees to block out much of the sun.
They used heavy blinds and curtains to block out the sun. People sat out on their porches or verandas a lot more.
Women carried sun umbrellas or parasols.

Answer 6

Shakespeare's home was cooled by diverting a running stream of water under the the ground floor of his home. Still functioning.

Answer 7

people didnt cool off, they were just used to the heat because they didnt have electricity.

Answer 8

as a kid we didn't, have air, it cost to much money to have one, we lived by a lake and stayed in it for long periods of time. as an adult i have learned to take hot showers to cool down. i don't know why but it works. and also my grandma and her mother had a thing for serving fresh squeezed lemon/lime-ade under a huge weeping willow tree.

Answer 9

Open the window and feel the wind! Well, that was pretty much all you could do back then, right?

Answer 10

Jump in a river