Ancient Chinese elites used innovative methods like water-powered fans and imperial ice sculptures to combat deadly summer heat. These historical practices highlight the challenges of extreme temperatures before modern cooling technologies.

In ancient China, summer heat could be deadly long before the advent of air conditioning. To survive it, people resorted to remedies ranging from imperial ice sculptures and water-powered fans to the more carefree practice of dressing minimally. One of the most devastating examples occurred during the reign of Emperor Qianlong in the Qing dynasty (1644–1912), when an extreme heatwave swept across northern China. Lacking modern weather stations, officials documented the disaster through...