As Central Illinois swelters in the summer heat, most people have someplace to go to cool off. Not so long ago, it wasn’t like that. Chilled air has been around for only a century yet there are few things that have had larger effects on civilization. Major cities in the southwestern U.S. would not be as large as they are now, or perhaps there at all. Even in the Midwest, air conditioning shapes us all.

As Central Illinois swelters in the summer heat, most people have someplace to go to cool off. Not so long ago, it wasn&rsquo;t like that. Chilled air has been around for only a century yet there are few things that have had larger effects on civilization. Major cities in the southwestern U.S. would not be as large as they are now, or perhaps there at all. Even in the Midwest, air conditioning shapes us all.

Sound Ideas is WGLT's signature local news series. Every weekday, WGLT reporters go beyond soundbites for deeper conversations with newsmakers, musicians, artists, and anyone with a story to share. New episodes air throughout the day on WGLT.

Sound Ideas is WGLT's signature local news series. Every weekday, WGLT reporters go beyond soundbites for deeper conversations with newsmakers, musicians, artists, and anyone with a story to share. New episodes air throughout the day on WGLT.

WGLT's Sound Ideas

WGLT's Sound Ideas is our flagship news program. Every weekday, WGLT reporters go beyond soundbites for deeper conversations with newsmakers, musicians, artists, and anyone with a story to share. This 30-minute newsmagazine is produced Monday through Friday. You can also subscribe to the Sound Ideas - Full Episodes podcast.

WGLT's Sound Ideas is our flagship news program. Every weekday, WGLT reporters go beyond soundbites for deeper conversations with newsmakers, musicians, artists, and anyone with a story to share. This 30-minute newsmagazine is produced Monday through Friday. You can also subscribe to the Sound Ideas - Full Episodes podcast.

How the cool came to McLean County

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/090e86c6-4ab6-4873-b560-afff01256522/clips/a39fa2f0-e39c-45fb-9af4-b487004aa60a/transcript