The First AC and Automatic Fan at UNESCO China

It started getting cooler here and no more AC is needed till next year. I wonder what people do before AC and electrical fan. Well, my theory is they had higher threshold to heat.

I recall visiting an UNESCO site at Anhui in Southern China. There is a well reserved historical village with intact architectures. It was once home of many wealthy merchants 500 or 600 hundred years ago. They accumulated their wealth by trade Tea and Silk. The planning of village was done before residence moved in. Its roads form an intertwined spider web shape which resembles the Eight Diagrams of Taoism and divide the village into 8 sections. The center is a lake or reservoir. Water needed by the entire village is distributed through 8 canals. Each estate in the village has a unique design with extravagant decoration, yet still in harmony with the overall style of the community.

One of the most interesting I found in one courtyard is an ancient prototype of Air Conditioner and a very original automatic fan. The owner definitely knew how to enjoy life. A cave used to store water spreads underneath the whole courtyard. Fresh water from a closest river flows into this gigantic water tank as old water was dumped out. What is this for? Keeping the house cool! It is the world first AC!

Now let's talk about the fan. The house consists of a mill. At the other side of the mill wheel connects a big palm leaves fan in living room. The big fan would start to spin as river pushes the mill wheel. Isn't that amazing? I think it is such advanced technology for 500 to 600 years ago. No need to mention how environmental it is! No harmful chemical released :-) Oh, besides, the high ceiling and thick walls help to maintain the temperature of the room as well.

Why aren't there more environmental safe cooling inventions these days? And why are modern houses not as energy efficient as they were used to be. I mean they are much better comparing to old house built 30 years ago, since higher quality thermos material are introduced. However, I still think buildings made today are still less energy efficient comparing to buildings made hundreds of years ago. :-P