When Were Automatic Doors Invented? A Full History
It’s fascinating to think that the invention of automatic doors took place almost 70 years ago. The invention itself has always had a futuristic appeal, with the technology being featured in science fiction films such as Star Wars and 2001: A Space Odyssey.
It was, in fact, 1954 when automatic doors were invented. Now, I’m sure the ancient Greeks might take umbrage with this, since Heron of Alexandria created a pulley system to open doors. But the first documentation of automatic doors as we know them comes from American engineers Dee Horton and Lew Hewitt. Such a revelation of convenience nearly feels like it would’ve been created more recently. Automatic doors have come a long way since their origins in Greece and continue to adapt new features to make them efficient and improve building management.
To summarise, automatic doors as we know them were invented in 1954 by Dee Horton and Lew Hewitt, but their origins date back to Ancient Greece. The invention has improved building accessibility, and with the integration of smart technology, they continue to become more energy efficient.
Let’s further explore the history of automatic doors to see how far they’ve come.
A Timeline of the History of Automatic Doors
Automatic doors have more advancements than you might think. In this timeline, we’ll closely explore all the advancements in automatic doors.
- Around 10 AD: Published author and inventor Heron of Alexandria mentions the system he implemented with pulleys and air pressure to create an automatic door system.
- 1931 Horace H. Raymond and Sheldon S. Roby: The creation of automatic doors with an optical device was made to improve accessibility for waiters carrying trays. They utilised a mat equipped with sensors that would respond to their weight and activate the door’s opening mechanism.
- 1954 Dee Horton and Lew Hewitt: Automatic sliding doors, as we know them, were created. They utilised an electronic system and a mat actuator to automatically open doors. They grew in popularity and started to be used in commercial buildings.
- 1970s: Motion sensors were invented and implemented to improve accessibility.
- 1980s: Microprocessors are implemented into automatic doors to improve safety and functionality.
- 2000s: Security upgrades are made, utilising biometrics and key cards to control access.
Who Invented Automatic Doors?
A few people can take credit for the concept of automatic doors. However, to keep it simple, automatic doors as we know them were invented by Dee Horton and Lew Hewitt in 1954. Not to take anything away from the advanced pulley system conceptualised by Heron of Alexandria, or the optical system made by Horace H. Raymond and Sheldon S. Roby.
Similar to Horace and Sheldon, Dee and Lew noticed the difficulties people were experiencing using swing doors. They saw this as an opportunity to improve accessibility. This invention didn’t take long to become widely adopted and today can be seen in various commercial and public buildings.
History Of All The Types of Automatic Doors
When Were Automatic Sliding Doors Invented?
Sliding doors were invented in 1954 by Dee Horton and Lew Hewitt. They’re responsible for the first commercial automatic sliding doors. The invention is notable because to this day we use this technology due to the convenience and accessibility it provides.
When Were Automatic Garage Doors Invented?
Automatic garage doors were invented by C.G Johnson in 1926. He utilised a motor and chain drive system which could be operated with a simple push of a button. The movement of the chain would provide sufficient force to lift the door overhead along a set of tracks. The same chain drive could also lower the garage door down to close it.
When Were Automatic Elevator Doors Invented?
Alexander Miles, a successful Black inventor, created automatic elevator doors all the way back in 1887. They operated through levers and rollers to open and close. Miles faced many challenges with the creation of this invention. The main issue he faced was the danger of his elevator shaft doors being left wide open. This posed a real danger and led to people plummeting many feet. Miles would later solve this problem with a flexible belt that was attached to the elevator shaft. So, every time his door would open it would close shortly after.
FAQs About The History of Automatic Doors
Did they have automatic doors in the 70s?
Yes, automatic doors were used in the 1970s. Many commercial businesses were using automatic doors to improve access to their premises. Motion sensors were also incorporated at this time. This would improve the detection of people looking to enter a building and enhance energy-efficiency as doors wouldn’t open unnecessarily.
When did supermarkets get automatic doors?
When did hotels and hospitality start using automatic doors?
When did schools start using automatic doors?
Get a Quote for Automatic Doors
Curious to learn more about how automatic doors work? Having difficulty deciding between automatic sliding vs swinging doors? Then check out our helpful blog!
Now that you know the answer to the question ‘When were automatic doors invented?’, you can familiarise yourself with how they can improve your property. DUK Doors supplies and installs automatic doors nationwide and is based in Stoke on Trent. We can conveniently provide our services to Birmingham, Derby and the surrounding areas. Along with installation, we work with different brands including Dorma and can provide maintenance and repairs. Get a quote and see for yourself how can enhance your building.