In 1850, Ferdinand's brother (22 January 1833 – 7 May 1894) developed the first absorption refrigerator, using water and sulphuric acid. Ferdinand continued Edmond's work on the process and in 1858 developed a machine which used water as the absorbent and ammonia as refrigerant. His absorption machine was patented in France in 1859 and in the United States in 1860. In 1862 he exhibited his ice-making machine at the Universal London Exhibition, producing an output of per hour. His design was based on the gas–vapour system of Australian inventor James Harrison.