Rigid Ice Chests without Wheels

• The first patent for an ice chest was filed by Richard Laramy in 1951. Early versions of ice chests were usually large rectangular boxes made out of either steel or plastic, with handles on either end. Ice chests today are sometimes made of lightweight styrene foam but these are usually not durable and break after a few uses. Some hard-sided polypropylene ice chests are designed to float and can be used in pools or lakes. These units allow people to get drinks and food without leaving the water.
  
  

Wheeled Units

• Ice chests filled with ice, beverages and food can be very heavy. Coolers of the past would often require two people to carry them from place to place. Manufacturers have now created wheeled chests that help make the units portable by one person. Ice chests come in either two-wheeled versions with a handle on the end opposite the wheels, which are tilted and pulled around like a rollerboard suitcase, or four-wheeled versions, which are usually pulled about like a wagon.
  
  

Soft-Sided and Personal Ice Chests

• Rigid ice chests, especially large ones, can take up a lot of room when not in use. Manufacturers have addressed this storage issue by creating soft-sided insulated ice chests, which can be folded down when not in use. These coolers come in many different sizes, from small personal units to large chests, such as Coleman's 72-can collapsible ice chest. Some soft-sided ice chests come with wheels, others have handles. Polar Bear offers a unit that can be carried like a backpack.
  
  

Antique and Collectible Ice Chests

• An antique or collectible ice chest will add a little personality to a rec room or patio. Antique ice boxes, the precursor to the refrigerator, often have a wood exterior and a porcelain and tin interior. Collectible ice chests usually bear the name of a beverage manufacturer, such as Coca-Cola or Pepsi. These chests are typically made of metal and can be quite large--they were usually used to hold merchandise in retail stores.