It's sitting in your home right now, humming away. If prompted, you might say it's one of the most important appliances you own. But you probably don't give your refrigerator too much thought.The humble fridge has been a staple in American households since it became popular in the 1940s and '50s. Fridges today have more space than ever, and more gadgets to make them "smart." But sometimes, problems arise. Wilting lettuce, a container of strawberries going bad days before you expected. An icemaker on the fritz. And a tub of yogurt hiding behind the condiments that you know you bought... sometime in the past few weeks.We discuss how our refrigerated food system developed, how it affects the food we eat, and how we can use our fridges more effectively.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy