Before air conditioning was common, people used blocks of ice and fire hydrants to stay cool

Air conditioning didn't become common in American homes until the mid-20th century. Paul Thompson/FPG via Getty Images Air conditioning is an essential amenity of modern US life during the hot summer months. Though it existed in different capacities, it didn't become common until the mid-20th century. People sometimes employed creative solutions to stay cool, like sitting on blocks of ice. As record-breaking temperatures and severe heat waves become the new normal, air conditioning has beco...