We take ice on demand for granted. But it's amazing we even have it.

In the 1700s, nobody had ice. Well, okay, a few people had ice. In winter. But you weren't going to have a tall glass of ice water in August, we know that much.

In the 1800s, some people had ice, but it cost money. People were willing to pay, but let's put it in perspective here: hauling ice was a JOB. Could you make a living hauling ice today? By ONLY hauling ice? That's not a career in the 21st Century. Somebody with fourth generation ice company needed to branch out, like, back in World War One.

So don't look at this ice machine as something basic. Look instead at your life today as something full of incredible magic. This cheap, basic, easy-to-use ice machine would have made you a business powerhouse on the Lower East Side of New York back in 1910. Even in the 1940s you would have impressed a few young soldiers who'd never seen falling cubes before. Be thankful you can take ice for granted. For most of human history, a cold lemonade after mowing the lawn simply wasn't possible.

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