Frederick McKinley Jones

Frederick McKinley Jones grew up in Cincinnati and Covington, Kentucky, essentially without formal education, and taught himself mechanics through observation and practice. He worked as a mechanic and developed expertise in engines, refrigeration systems, and sound equipment, eventually becoming the chief engineer at a Minnesota hotel. He co-founded Thermo King Corporation in 1938 with Joseph Numero after demonstrating that he could build a practical truck refrigeration system.

The Thermo King refrigeration unit — patented in 1940 and commercially deployed in 1942 — used a compact, self-contained refrigeration mechanism that could be mounted on the roof or body of a transport vehicle and run independently of the vehicle's engine. Before this invention, refrigerated transport required ice or dry ice, limiting both the range of transport and the reliability of temperature control. Thermo King made continuous refrigerated transport possible across any distance.

During World War II, Jones's refrigeration technology was used to preserve blood plasma for field hospitals and to maintain the cold chain for military food supply — contributions recognized by the U.S. Army. He held more than 60 patents in refrigeration, sound systems, and other technical domains. He was awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation posthumously in 1991, the first Black American to receive it.