We used one for a while when i was a kid (1953) newly arrived in Canada. At that time most places had an 'ice house' - a large building in which ice was stored and cut for use. Ice blocks would be delivered once a week, and if there was the need, you could buy one for $0.25 through a coin slot at the ice house (automation eh?).You had to rinse some sawdust off the block unless you wanted a mess iin the icebox. It didn't keep things frozen, but it did keep food cool long enough to use it.
My mother got her first fridge after about two years of 'ice boxing'.