Where was the self-propelled ice-resurfacing machine (AKA the Zamboni) invented?
Paramount, California What Frank J. Zamboni created the first self-propelled ice resurfacing machine in 1949. Within five years, he was selling them commercially. He wanted to call the company Paramount Engineering Co., but found the name was already taken. Why Zamboni was in the ice business—making ice that was used in home iceboxes (precursors to refrigerators) and to keep produce cool as it was shipped by rail from Southern California. When refrigeration made ice blocks obsolete, Zamboni, along with his brother and cousin, looked for ways to keep making money. They built Iceland, a skating rink that still operates today. The Zamboni was developed to keep the surface of the ice fresh. Bonus The name Zamboni is trade-marked, as is the machine’s familiar blocky shape, and the company prefers the name not be used as a verb or as a noun. There is, however, a band called The Zambonis—which has a licensing agreement with the company—and Sarah Palin has said she always wanted to name a son
