Charles Tellier (29 June 1828 – 19 October 1913) was a French engineer born in Amiens. He studied motors and compressed air early in his career. In 1868, he started experiments with refrigeration, which led to the development of refrigeration systems used on ocean ships to preserve meat and other perishable foods. In 1911, Tellier received the Joest prize from the French Institute, and in 1912, he was honored as a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. He wrote a book titled Histoire d'une invention moderne, le frigorifique in 1910. Tellier died in poverty in Paris. In 1876, Dimethyl ether became the first refrigerant. That same year, Charles Tellier purchased a 690-ton cargo ship named Eboe from the ex-Elder-Dempster company and installed a refrigeration system he designed using methyl ether. The ship was renamed Le Frigorifique and successfully transported refrigerated meat from Argentina. However, the machinery needed improvements. In 1877, another refrigerated ship called Paraguay was launched with a refrigeration system improved by Ferdinand Carré for use on South American routes.