ATLANTA - Clarence Birdseye, Willis Carrier, Mary Pennington, and Gardner Voorhees are being honored on postage stamps commissioned by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) as part of ASHRAE's celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the American Society of Refrigerating Engineers (ASRE). ASHRAE also has created a fifth stamp, which is a replica of a poster being displayed as part of the centennial.

ASHRAE is encouraging use of the stamps during Refrigeration Appreciation Week.

As part of the centennial celebration and ASHRAE's 2005 winter meeting in Orlando, Fla., Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has signed a proclamation designating the week of the meeting, Feb. 5-9, as Refrigeration Appreciation Week, to "honor the work of engineers who have harnessed this technology to provide innumerable benefits in improving the quality of life for people throughout the world."

"People around the world enjoy the benefits that stem from the accomplishments of these pioneers - foods that are safe, foods that last longer, vaccines provided worldwide, life-giving blood, tissue and organ transplants, and comfortable homes and workplaces" ASHRAE President Ron Vallort, P.E., said. "Featuring them on a stamp gives proper recognition to those who make our life easier today."

Featured on the stamps are:

Carrier, former president of ASRE, who is associated with many "firsts" during the infant stages of air conditioning.

Pennington, first female member of ASRE, who was regarded as the foremost American authority on home refrigeration. She developed milk and dairy standards that were adopted throughout the United States and recommended standards for construction and insulation of refrigerator cars.

Voorhees, whose design for air conditioning at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904 marked the first time the public at large was exposed to the comforts of mechanical cooling. Voorhees was a charter member of ASRE. He will be inducted into the ASHRAE Hall of Fame at the 2005 Winter Meeting.

Birdseye, who invented, developed, and commercialized a method for quick-freezing food products in convenient packages without altering the original taste.

Publication date: 12/13/2004