Who invented the fan and when?

The electric fan was invented by Schuyler Skaats Wheeler, an American engineer, in 1882. Wheeler created a small, electric fan that blew air to provide cooling. Before Wheeler’s invention, hand-powered fans or mechanical fans driven by water or steam were used. Wheeler’s design was the first practical fan powered by electricity, making it widely accessible and efficient for homes and businesses. The electric fan became an essential household appliance, providing cooling in homes before air conditioning became common.