Joan: As an Australian (also formerly Deputy Director of the Powerhouse 
Museum) I can provide you with further information about the Coolgardie 
safe. In my early career I was a jackaroo in the Far West of NSW and in 
Dirranbandi, SW Queensland. From my recollection, the Coolgardie safe 
was quite common. Most I have examined (and used) were locally made on 
the property, but some knowledge of soldering would have been needed to 
make the metal reservoir on top to hold the water and a pipe to allow 
the water to drip. Basically, the Coolgardie often  included pieces of 
charcoal retained between rabbit wire covered by hessian or sacking. The 
water running down the sacking would evaporate, thus reducing the 
temperature of the interior and its contents - meat, cheese and butter.

I have sent you some references that you may not have seen.

I'll be interested in any responses you get.

Desmond Kennard
Museums in the making

HILL TOP NSW
Joan Goodbody wrote:

>Sorry for any cross postings
>
>We have a patron that is looking for information on the Coolgardie Meat safe or similar products. We found information on this item at an Australian Museum. " A Coolgardie safe helps keep perishable food items cool, free of insects and therefore fresh. It relies on the principle of evaporation absorbing heat. This particular safe is made of metal and may have been purchased rather than home made. All coolgardie safes work using the same principle of heat being dissipated by evaporation. The safe is placed in a spot where it will be in the breeze, if any, and shade. Water is used to wet the fabric sides in the safe. The heat of the climate evaporates the water off the sides of the safe creating a cooler interior. "
>This is from the Powerhouse Museum site (a museum in Australia).
>I am sure there are similar products in the US and Canada, any ideas?
>The patron is looking for a detailed description and how it is used. Also maybe how to create one. Thanks. 
>Thanks for your help. You can respond off list.
>Joan Goodbody
>
>Joan Goodbody
>Reference/Instruction Librarian
>Government Documents Coordinator
>Michigan Technological University
>1400 Townsend Drive
>Houghton, MI 49931-1295
>906-487-2698
>fax: 906-487-2357
>email: [log in to unmask] 
>
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