1. J. A. Ewing: The Mechanical Production of Cold. Cambridge Univ. Press 1908. A classic giving detailed references to 19th century work.
2. M. and B. Ruhemann: Low Temperature Physics. Cambridge Univ. Press 1937. Chap. I, Part I, gives an historical picture of the development of low temperature physics.
3. H. Lenz: Handbuch der Experimentalphysik, vol. IX/I, p. 47. 1929. Liquefaction of gases and its thermodynamical foundation. Good account of early work on Joule-Thomson expansion.
4. W. Meissner: Handbuch der Physik, vol. XI, p. 272. 1926. Production of low temperatures and the liquefaction of gases. Excellent survey of the field to 1926.
5. M. Ruhemann: The separation of gases. Oxford Press 1940. Chap. V gives good outline of refrigeration to low temperatures.