This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed human. Liberty has never been just a word to we Americans. It has guided every one of our endeavors for the past 250 years, and now it takes form in a new way. The 2026 Semi-Quincentennial Coin and Metal Program from the United States Mint.
It celebrates the founding ideals that have long shaped our coinage. Available one year only, this historic collection features new coin designs, limited edition releases, and reissues. Shop new official coins at usmint.gov forward slash semi-q. That's usmint.gov/slash S-E-M-I-Q. This July 4th, come celebrate at America's Block Party, hosted by America 250.
America's Block Party is a can't-miss 4th of July concert happening at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Experience music performances from major artists, patriotic tributes, and the kickoff to Giving Forth, helping to make July 4th the largest day of giving in American history. It's more than just fireworks. Learn more about this landmark celebration at America250.org. I turned off news altogether.
I hate to say it, but I don't trust much of anything. It's the rage bait. It feels like it's trying to divide people. If we got clear facts, maybe we could calm down a little. NBC News brings you clear reporting.
Let's meet at the facts. Let's move forward from there. NBC News reporting for America. What's up y'all? Summer's got a different temper.
Everything's a little looser, brighter. One plan turns into another. You hear something, you stay a little longer.
Next thing you know, you're somewhere you didn't plan to be. It's those in between moments. That's where the ideas hit. conversations stretch out, little memories sneak up on you.
Sometimes it's just about what's in your hand. that color. That chill. a new tropical butterfly refresher from Starbucks. guava and passion fruit flavors with mango pineapple flavored pearls.
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Visit chase.com/slash reservebusiness to learn more. Cards issued by J.P. Morgan Chase Bank and a member of the IC subject to credit approval terms apply. Uh This is Lee Habib and this is our American Stories and we tell stories about everything here on this show from the arts to sports and from business to history and everything in between. And now it's time for a brief look into the history of air conditioning.
Here's Jesse. One of the single greatest inventions in modern history is the air conditioner. Americans spend more than $22 billion a year on electricity to cool their homes with air conditioning, an average of $2,200 per household. It's hard to imagine how people live without it. Ancient Egyptians cooled themselves at night by sleeping in wet sheets.
Early Americans placed large blocks of ice in front of fans. Willis Carrier invented modern air conditioning in 1902 for a publishing company in New York that was experiencing problems when humidity caused ink to smudge. and paper to expand. The New York Stock Exchange Building in New York City was one of the first buildings to use air conditioning in 1903. But it wasn't until 1904 when the first private home was equipped with an air conditioner in Minneapolis.
Movie theaters were among the first businesses to install air conditioning. In 1922, Carrier installed his system in a movie theater, which advertised its new system by saying that the theaters were, quote, cool as a mountaintop. Yes, you lucky people, just sit back for a moment, relax, and notice the delightfully clean, cool, and refreshing atmosphere of this scientifically air-conditioned theater. Great, isn't it? Remember, you can enjoy great motion picture entertainment all summer long in cool comfort.
At this theater. In 1939, Packard became the first automobile manufacturer to offer air conditioning in its cars. But it would be decades before AC became commonplace in homes across the country. Here's historian Gary Mormino. Air conditioning had had existed in uh in the larger cities.
Since the 1920s, you could go to the premier movie theater and enjoy air-conditioned comfort. but it was unaffordable and really unrealistic for a homeowner. to even dream about air conditioning. The carrier window unit came in 1951. And what's interesting is it wasn't an immediate hit.
For instance, everyone, I think, assumes. That everyone went out and bought a window unit in the summer of 1951. It was much slower than that. First of all, it was very expensive. Most homes were modestly priced.
It made no sense to to purchase a thousand dollar unit. for a $6,000 house. The first census to ask homeowners whether they had air conditioning was 1960. And in 1960, only one home in five was air conditioning. But the future was lock set.
Almost all the new developments included air conditioning, climate control. Was the future for growth. Air conditioning. Is omnipresent now. In Hollywood, Florida, a neighbor's newly installed air conditioner rattled all night.
and his neighbor took him to court. And the judge ruled, you might as well get used to it. This is kind of like the Model T, it's the wave of the future. And it's one of those new sounds introduced after World War II, you know, the whirr of the air conditioner. Air conditioning has also created.
a twelve month tourist industry. before air conditioning. Many beach communities open only a few months a year. The Grand Hotels. In the 1930s, the Royal Palm the breakers The Don César, they generally only operated in the winter months for three or four months.
close for the season. Would be the sign in summer. Oh, this hot summer has got me down. You can't fry an egg on the street. Heat waves are wiggling on the sidewalk.
Cops are dropping like flies on the beat. I need a new loafer to take me and protect me. Room this humid air be from Brooklyn, Staten Island, or Queens. I don't care. It don't matter what kind of loving you're into or how big your apartment might be.
All you need is an air conditioner. And you're the man for me. Without air conditioning, we wouldn't have certain medications today.
Some medications could only be studied and developed in a cool environment. Kids can think air conditioning for summer vacation. Before air conditioners, it was too hot to learn during the summer.
So the kids were granted a break, and the idea stayed. This lucky baby will sleep quietly through the night. Yes, no matter how high the temperature goes outdoors, this baby's RCA air conditioner will keep his room filled with cool, dry, fresh air and keep that room so comfortable and quiet, he'll never need a middle-of-the-night lullaby. Yes, quiet is the word for this new 1954 RCA air conditioner, as the wonderful heart of cold compressor silently cools the air for you. Without air conditioning, life would be a lot harder.
Not only would we be uncomfortable, we'd be fighting for our very survival. According to a recent study, Heat-related deaths have declined 80% since 1960. This can be directly attributed to widespread adoption of residential air conditioning. Harry. Ah, you sleep.
Who can sleep in this heat? Think you could open the window a little wider?
so we can let some more hot air in? When you're trying to beat the heat... We think you'd have better luck with the Kelvinator Speedy Mount air conditioner on your side. Even the cold water's hot. According to the National Academy of Engineering, Air conditioning and refrigeration is the tenth most important achievement of the 20th century.
If you're sitting in an air-conditioned room or car right now, take the time to appreciate everything AC has given us: comfort, productivity, health, cities, and much more. Air conditioning makes us more productive and allows us to live longer, happier, cleaner, and more comfortable lives. And don't risk a breakdown during the hottest days of the year. Keep your artificial oasis going by remembering to schedule a professional AC maintenance every spring and calling a professional technician as soon as you notice a problem. For Our American Stories, I'm Jesse Edwards.
Yeah. You're a And great job as always to Jesse. And you know, you just forget. There was a time, 1903, the first building to use AC, the New York Stock Exchange, the first car, the Packard, in 1939. And in 1960 only one in five homes had AC.
Hard to imagine. The story of air conditioning. The history of air conditioning here on our American story. Lee Habib here, and I'd like to encourage you to subscribe to Our American Stories on Apple Podcasts, the iHeartRadio app, Spotify, or wherever you get our podcasts. Any story you missed or want to hear again can be found there daily.
Again, Please subscribe to the Our American Stories podcast on Apple Podcasts, the iHeartRadio app, or anywhere you get your podcasts. It helps us keep these great American stories coming. Liberty has never been just a word to we Americans. It has guided every one of our endeavors for the past 250 years. And now it takes form in a new way.
The 2026 Semi-Quincentennial Coin and Metal Program from the United States Mint. It celebrates the founding ideals that have long shaped our coinage. Available one year only, this historic collection features new coin designs, limited edition releases, and reissues. Shop new official coins at usmint.gov forward slash semi-q. That's usmint.gov/slash S-E-M-I-Q.
This July 4th, come celebrate at America's Block Party, hosted by America 250. America's Block Party is a can't-miss 4th of July concert happening at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Experience music performances from major artists, patriotic tributes, and the kickoff to Giving Forth, helping to make July 4th the largest day of giving in American history. It's more than just fireworks. Learn more about this landmark celebration at America250.org.
With my mom and dad living in Orange County, when we bring my five and seven year old to visit, we are sometimes in for a two-hour drive that could feel like 10. No, as an avid camper, I know all about this. We'll pack up the RV and know this is either going to be the trip of a lifetime or a complete disaster. Which is why we load up the iPads with Lingo Kids before we even pull out of the driveway. It's what dreams are made of.
Lingo Kids keeps kids engaged and quiet with over 4,000 interactive games, songs, and shows that kids simply cannot get enough of. You can pack whatever you think you'll need, but Lingo Kids is the only entertainment you'll need for a stress-free car ride. Or really, any ride. Plane, train, hovercraft, whatever. Download LingoKids for free today.
Or unlock even more amazing content with LingoKids Plus. Choose the yearly plan and save up to 60%. Search Lingo Kids in the App Store or Google Play. Lingo Kids: Everything Kids Love. Think about it.
And when it comes to your own food, you can walk into a restaurant, see what's being made, and know exactly what you're getting. But with dog food, most brands keep that completely hidden. Just food for dogs does the opposite. They've built their entire brand around open kitchens. You can actually walk in and watch them prepare your dog's meals with real human-grade ingredients like chicken, beef, carrots, and peas cooked right there in front of you.
No mystery, no behind the scenes you're not allowed to see. That kind of transparency is rare in the pet food world. And it's a big reason they've become the number one vet recommended fresh dog food, earning trust from pet parents who want to feel confident in what they're feeding. When a brand is willing to show you exactly how your dog's food is made, it says a lot about the care, quality, and standards behind every meal they produce. Nothing to hide, everything to love.
Go to justfoodfordogs.com and get 50% off your first order. I'm U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. We all seem to be in a rush these days, but when you're behind the wheel, please do not speed.
So follow the speed limit. A few minutes saved by going faster is never worth a risk. Paid for by NHTSA.
