Integrated Learning-Living Communities
Business Ethics & Environmental Sustainability: Ice harvesting at Carriage Hill Metropark
On Jan. 25, the BEES (Business Ethics & Environmental Sustainability) enjoyed a rare opportunity to participate in harvesting ice blocks from the pond at the Carriage Hill Metropark.
Temperatures in recent years have not stayed cold long enough to ensure that the ice was solid enough for people to walk and work on the ice, but, this year, more than 5 feet of ice enabled experts to demonstrate the techniques involved in harvesting ice to deliver to homes for use in, wait for it, ice boxes: the precursor to refrigerators.
The occasion also permitted the BEES to learn about a certain dubious business person, a colorful character named Joe Maloney (1862-94), who ‘minded’ the ice in his basement and sold it in 30-pound blocks.
Teetering on bankruptcy due to enormous air conditioning bills during summer months, in 1887, he hit upon a way to increase profit margins: putting a large brick in the center of each block. This led to the building in which his business was located a (500 E. First Street in downtown Dayton) to be called BRIXX, occupied to this day by a restaurant of the same name.
