The first ice-resurfacer was the 

brainchild of Frank J. Zamboni, 

who was originally in the 

refrigeration business. He provided 

services to businesses such as 

dairy farms and produce vendors. 

Zamboni created a plant for 

making ice blocks that could be 

used in refrigeration techniques. 

As the demand for ice blocks 

waned, Zamboni looked for 

another way to capitalize on his 

expertise with ice. In 1947, 

Zamboni decided on a machine 

that would shave, wash and 

squeegee the ice.