Being from La., I thought it was interesting that these came from NOLA so I did a little research. Not much out there, but I did find an article from a local newspaper. I had to do a 5 question survey to view the article, so I cut and pasted the text here so others won't have to. There were no pictures. The picture I do have posted came from another auction site:
By Bill Ellzey / Correspondent
Posted May 21, 2010 at 3:00 PM
It mounted under the dashboard and could cool an assortment of beverages. And, reported in the Terrebonne Press’ June 1, 1954 edition, the device would be manufactured locally.
“Another first in the nation and in Houma will be placed on the market around June 15 when the B & M Corporation will begin production of the Coldmaker, an automatic refrigerator for automobiles.
“The invention of Herb Denmark and A.A. Simpson of New Orleans, this refrigerator fits snugly under the radio space of most cars and is fabricated of aluminum.“
A photo showed an installed Coldmaker, its lid open, glove-box-fashion, with a dozen bottles lying on their sides in two horizontal rows.
“It is capable of holding a dozen cans of beer ... or the same number of bottles for the baby. The unit keeps these items at a temperature of 42 degrees, obtained after the motor of the car has been running for approximately five to ten minutes.“
That temperature could be maintained for about three hours with the car stopped. “In a longer drive will get to the point of forming a thick frost on the inside of the unit.“
The Coldmaker ran off the vacuum of the automobile and had no moving parts.
“It will be offered with many new car buys in the next season.
“B & M plans to produce about 10,000 units in June and ... will increase their current payroll over 100 per cent.
“Using all local personnel, as far as possible, B & M will have a payroll of approximately $80,000 ... offering employment to about 250 persons.
“As this work will be on assembly line style, more women will be employed than in manufacture of Kool-Vent awnings. Women do this type of work more accurately and with less fatigue than men workers.“
The Press quoted Lionel Babin Jr., B & M vice president and general manager.
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