Carrier will launch a campaign across Japan to mark “Air Conditioning Invention Day” on July 17 and highlight the origins and social value of modern air conditioning. The initiative will cover the technology’s role in homes, commercial buildings, healthcare facilities and data centers, while sharing the story of Dr. Willis Carrier.
The Japan Anniversary Association officially registered July 17 as a commemorative day recognizing Dr. Carrier’s achievements. In 1902, he developed an air-cooling system to control humidity and improve print quality at a New York printing plant. On July 17, he added his initials to the system’s mechanical drawing as a mark of approval, an act regarded as the starting point of modern air conditioning technology.
Advertisements presenting the history of air conditioning will run through late September on commuter railway lines in Tokyo and the Kansai region, including the JR Yamanote Line and Kita-Osaka Kyuko Railway. The advertisements will focus on July 17, 1902, and the historical background of the technology.
Carrier Japan will also launch a dedicated “Air Conditioning Invention Day” webpage on July 1. It will cover the origins and evolution of air conditioning, its impact on daily life and industry, and Dr. Carrier’s connections to Japan. Related content will be shared through the company’s corporate and social media channels, including X, YouTube and Instagram.
“Air Conditioning Invention Day provides an opportunity to reflect on our origins and take pride in the invention that defines us, as well as in the value we have created together with society over time,” said Maruyama Mineo, President of Carrier Japan. “Through this campaign, we aim to share its history and significance more broadly, and to build on these insights to create new value, contributing to Carrier’s purpose of Enhancing the Lives We Live and the World We Share.”