Pre-WW-I cabinet design

Typical kitchens before World War I used freestanding work tables and a pantry for dry storage. Cupboards were sometimes used in kitchens, though in larger houses dishes were more typically stored in the dining room or butler's pantry. Perishable foods such as milk, meat, and vegetables were purchased daily.

Post-WW-I industrial era

An increasing interest in household efficiency pioneered by Lillian Moller Gilbreth led to more systematic kitchen design in the 1920s, typically including built-in cabinets surfaced with linoleum or stainless steel.

Improved materials and tools also made the industrial production of cabinets possible.

Post-WW-II cabinet design

Sub-Zero Refrigerator is a brand of residential refrigerator built in the USA. The company also manufactures kitchen appliances under the Wolf brand name.

History

The Sub-Zero Freezer Company was founded in 1945, by Westye F. Bakke in Madison, Wisconsin. In 2000, they acquired the domestic appliance line of the Wolf Range Corporation, a California-based manufacturer of professional-style ranges, cooktops and grills for both home and commercial use.

Sub-Zero Inc. now sells the domestic line of ranges and ventilation equipment formerly made by Wolf Range Corporation under the brand name Wolf, while the original Wolf Range Corporation manufactures and sells cooking equipment solely for commercial use. The company's products compete with those made by Viking Range Corporation, Dacor, Wind Crest, Thermador, GE Monogram, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Bosch, Fulgor and Miele.

Innovations

According to the official company history, Bakke invented the first free-standing freezer in 1943. They also claim to have been the first to manufacture built-in refrigerators, beginning in the 1950s, and consequently many people still associate the look with Sub-Zero. Sub-Zero claims to be the only company to employ dual-refrigeration technology, which ostensibly "keep fresh food fresher and preserve frozen food longer".

Appliance models

Sub-Zero manufactures two series of built-in refrigeration as well as wine storage and undercounter units. Each of the refrigerator models usually comes in three variations, namely stainless steel exterior in three finishes, or customizable exteriors in framed or overlay versions. The latter options allow the buyers to install kitchen cabinet panels on the door to match with the rest of the kitchen. Its refrigerators are designed with a 24" depth and can be installed flush with kitchen cabinets of the same standard depth to provide an integrated look. This kind of built-in refrigerator is usually wider than normal to compensate for the shallower depth in order to maintain acceptable storage volume.