An "Ice Box" is a non-mechanical appliance used for food preservation before the invention of modern refrigerators. It typically consists of an insulated box that holds ice, which cools the interior and keeps perishable items fresh. Ice boxes were commonly made of wood and lined with metal or other insulating materials. To use an ice box, a block of ice was placed in a compartment, and food items were stored in separate sections. The ice would gradually melt, and the water would need to be drained regularly. Ice boxes were popular from the late 19th century until the mid-20th century, when electric refrigerators became widely available.