Definition of ice cube

The term "ice cube" first emerged in the early 20th century as a convenient and efficient way to transport and store ice. Before the development of mechanized ice-making machines, blocks of ice were cut from frozen rivers and lakes and transported by horse-drawn sledges or canals. These large blocks of ice were used to keep food and drinks cold in iceboxes and icehouses, but they were cumbersome and often melted quickly. In 1854, a Florida-based farmer named John Gorrie invented a machine that could create ice by compressing and cooling water. This invention made ice more readily available, but it was still in the form of dense blocks that were difficult to use. As a result, in the 1890s, an American inventor named Frederick Tudor came up with the idea of cutting the ice into smaller, uniform cubes. This innovation made ice more versatile and allowed it to be easily added to drinks, deserts, and other foods. The term "ice cube" was coined to describe these smaller, easy-to-use portions of ice. The term quickly gained popularity with the advent of commercial ice production in the early 1900s, as manufacturers began producing ice cubes that could be easily transported and stored for extended periods. Today, ice cubes remain a common household item, used not only for their cooling properties but also for their aesthetic appeal in drinks and cocktails.