Frederick McKinley Jones: The Man Who Invented the Refrigerated Truck

Who Was Frederick McKinley Jones?

Frederick McKinley Jones was a Black inventor and World War I veteran who changed how we eat food today. He made the refrigerated truck in 1939. This big idea lets trucks keep food cold while driving far away.

Jones was a smart man who taught himself how to fix things. He did not have kids of his own. He worked with a man named Joseph Numero to make his cold trucks for everyone to use.

Why Refrigerated Trucks Matter

Before Jones made his cold truck, people could not send food very far. Food would go bad. His truck changed that! Now we can:

• Eat fresh food all year
• Get food from far away
• Keep food safe to eat

As one truck expert says: “When you eat an orange in the middle of winter or see piles of fresh fruit and vegetables at the supermarket, it’s thanks to the inventor of refrigerated trucking—Frederick McKinley Jones.”

Key Facts About Jones and His Invention

Fact	Details
Born	Frederick McKinley Jones
Big Invention	Refrigerated truck system (1939)
Military Service	U.S. Army during World War I
Business Partner	Joseph Numero
Company Name	Thermo King Corporation
Total Patents	Over 60 different inventions
Special Honor	National Inventors Hall of Fame
Main Impact	Made year-round food shipping possible

Jones was very smart and made many things, not just cold trucks. He had more than 60 patents for things he made!

How the Cold Truck Works

Jones made a special cooling system that was small and strong. It would not break when the truck hit bumps on the road. This was very important for trucks that drive long ways.

His machine kept a steady cold temperature inside the truck. This meant food could stay fresh for days or even weeks while being moved from farms to stores.

The cold trucks were so good that soon they were used for:

1. Trucks on roads
2. Trains with food cars
3. Ships carrying food
4. Planes flying with cold food

Impact During World War II

Jones’ cold trucks became very important during World War II. The army used them to:

• Keep blood safe for hurt soldiers
• Move food to soldiers
• Help win the war with better supplies

This shows how one good idea can help in many ways!

Refrigerated Trucks Today

Today, cold trucks are everywhere. In 2025, top companies making these trucks are:

1. DOLMA CONTAINER MANUFACTURING
2. ISUZU
3. HINO

A new 2025 ISUZU NPR HD cold truck costs about $118,285. A bigger HINO L6 costs between $163,770 and $179,980.

Modern refrigerated vehicles for commercial use have better systems than Jones first made, but they still work on his big idea.

The Big Company: Thermo King

Jones and Numero started a company called Thermo King to sell their cold trucks. By 1949, it was worth millions of dollars!

The company still makes cold systems for trucks today. It is now part of another big company called Westinghouse.

How Cold Trucks Changed Food Shopping

Before cold trucks, people could only eat food grown near their homes. Now, thanks to Jones:

• We can eat strawberries in winter
• Fish caught in the ocean can go to places far from water
• Meat stays fresh longer
• Milk can travel far without going bad

This changed how we eat and shop forever!

Why Jones Matters Today

Frederick Jones broke many barriers:

• He was Black in a time when Black inventors faced many problems
• He had no college education but made amazing things
• His ideas are still used every day

Today, his work helps with cold chain logistics trucks that move important things like:

• Food
• Medicine
• Vaccines
• Other things that need to stay cold

Timeline of Jones and Cold Trucks

• 1893: Frederick Jones is born
• 1917-1919: Jones serves in World War I
• 1930s: Jones works with Joseph Numero
• 1939: Gets patent for refrigerated truck system
• 1940s: Thermo King company grows big
• 1940s: Cold trucks help in World War II
• 1949: Company worth millions of dollars
• 1961: Jones dies
• 2025: Modern cold trucks cost over $100,000

The Legacy Continues

Today, the cold food transport industry is worth billions of dollars. All because one smart man saw a problem and fixed it!

As experts say: “The next time you stop by the corner market to pick up a few perishable items that are not in season locally, thank Jones for creating refrigeration for long-haul trucks making it possible to enjoy the best of the harvest year-round.”

Frederick McKinley Jones may be gone, but his big idea keeps our food fresh every day!