I grew up in Phoenix in the 50's & 60's.
I remember finally getting AC, but my mother always turned it off at night, still over 100. That's why to this day I have to sleep in s "Ice Box"! Love when I stay in a hotel and can crank it down.
Living in New Mexico we have a Semi Evap Cooler. Called a Master Cool. Because we are a High Desert it works pretty well.
We had no car AC. You opened up the windows and let the air come in. When we traveled to Calf. we would leave at dark and drive at night to beat the heat.
I did put a window AC in both my office and bedroom, they work remarkablly well.
Everything you read about sleep tells you to sleep in a cool environment.
Sundance(RB)