ceiling Fan - The ceiling fan was invented in 1886 by father-and-son team John and James Hunter. This device was powered by water, as electric power was still scarce. Several years later, the Emerson Electric Company introduced the world's first alternating-current fan motor, which opened the doors to a major improvement upon Hunter's design. In 1903, the Hunter Fan and Motor Company began producing its'Original' line of ceiling fans, which quickly became a mainstay in the industry and underwent very few changes in design until 100 years later. Ceiling fans are normally used as a cooling device in warm months by pushing air down from above, thereby creating a wind chill effect.