The term “Women in Refrigerators” was coined by writer Gail Simone as a name for the website in early 1999 during online discussions about comic books with friends. The list is infamous in certain comic book fan circles. Respondents often turning fridge on and off different meanings to the list itself, though Simone maintained that her simple point had always been: “If you demolish most of the characters girls like, then girls won’t read comics. Journalist Beau Yarbrough created the initial design and coding on the original site.
Technology consultant John Bartol edited the content. Robert Harris, a librarian and comic-book fan, contributed to site maintenance and updates along with fan John Norris. The idea for placing the list online originated with software developer Jason Yu, who also served as the original site host. Simone received numerous e-mail responses from comic book fans and professionals. Some responses were neutral and others were positive.
Additionally, arguments on the merits of the list were published on comic-book fan sites in early 1999. Simone published many of the responses she received on the website. Several comic book creators indicated that the list caused them to pause and think about the stories they were creating. Often these responses contained arguments for or against the use of death or injury of female characters as a plot device. A list of some responses from comic book professionals is included at the site.