Wiktor Wise
The history of automatic doors may surprise you. Many people believe that the first automatic doors were used in Ancient Greece to open temple gates in the first century AD. The invention of these automatic doors is credited to Heron of Alexandria, a Greek mathematician and engineer. Dee Horton and Lew Hewitt are credited with inventing the first modern automatic sliding doors in 1954, and in 1960, they placed the first commercial automatic sliding door on the market. Today, automatic doors are commonplace in commercial buildings, and 98% of customers say they prefer visiting buildings that use them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of invention | 1954 |
| Inventors | Lew Hewitt and Dee Horton |
| Location of first installation | Corpus Christi, Texas |
| Mechanism | Floor mat actuator |
| Year of first sale | 1960 |
| Year motion detectors were invented | 1970s |
| Year infrared sensors were introduced | 1980 |
| Year folding automatic doors were invented | 1990s |
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What You'll Learn
- The first automatic doors were invented in the 1st century AD by Heron of Alexandria
- Modern automatic doors were invented in 1954 by Lew Hewitt and Dee Horton
- The first automatic doors were installed in 1960 in Corpus Christi, Texas
- Automatic doors became popular in the 1960s
- Infrared sensors for automatic doors were introduced in the 1980s
The first automatic doors were invented in the 1st century AD by Heron of Alexandria
The history of automatic doors is a fascinating one. While the first known door was uncovered in an Egyptian tomb, the first automatic doors were invented in the 1st century AD by Heron of Alexandria in Roman Egypt. Heron was a Greek mathematician and engineer who is believed to have designed the first automatic door. He described two different applications of automatic doors in his works.
The first application involved using heat from a fire lit by the city's temple priest. The heat caused atmospheric pressure to build up in a brass vessel, which pumped water into adjacent containers. These containers acted as weights, and through a series of ropes and pulleys, the temple doors would open when people arrived for prayer. This mechanism was found on a temple in Alexandria, a Greek colony, and is described in Heron's book Pneumatica, which details his theories and experiments.
Heron's second application of automatic doors was used to open the city gates. He implemented a similar mechanism as the first, using water pressure to power the doors. This system was also found to be influenced by the work of Archimedes, another renowned inventor.
Heron's invention of automatic doors was just one of over 80 mechanical appliances he designed, showcasing his interest and expertise in mechanics. His work in the 1st century AD set a precedent for the development of automatic doors, which have since become a common feature in commercial buildings worldwide.
It is worth noting that while Heron invented the first automatic doors, the modern-day automatic doors we commonly use today were developed in 1954 by Americans Lew Hewitt and Dee Horton. They first installed their creation in Corpus Christi, Texas, to address the challenges of using swinging doors in high winds. In 1960, the first automatic sliding doors were sold in America, and the industry rapidly evolved with the introduction of motion detectors, infrared sensors, and various other innovations over the years.
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Modern automatic doors were invented in 1954 by Lew Hewitt and Dee Horton
Using an electronic system and a mat actuator, the first automatic door was installed in Corpus Christi in 1960. The same year, the first commercial automatic sliding doors appeared on the market, establishing a new industry. Throughout the 1960s, automatic sliding doors became increasingly common in commercial buildings, including large banks, hotels, and public buildings.
In the 1970s, motion detectors were introduced to activate sliding doors, and the concept of low-energy swing doors was initiated. The first access doors for disabled people were also introduced during this decade. During the 1980s, microprocessors were added to automatic doors to improve safety and functionality.
The invention of automatic sliding doors has had a significant impact on accessibility and convenience. They are commonly used in stores, malls, hospitals, and doctors' offices, making it easier for people with disabilities, seniors, and children to navigate entrances. Automatic doors also improve foot traffic flow and make buildings more welcoming and professional-looking.
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The first automatic doors were installed in 1960 in Corpus Christi, Texas
The automatic doors we see today were invented in 1954 by Americans Dee Horton and Lew Hewitt. However, the first installation of such doors took place in 1960 in Corpus Christi, Texas. The inventors drew inspiration from the difficulties faced by people in Corpus Christi in using swing doors in the area's heavy winds. The first automatic doors were activated by a floor mat actuator, which would signal the door system to open once pressure was applied.
The installation of these doors in 1960 birthed a new industry. Throughout the 1960s, automatic sliding doors became increasingly common in commercial buildings, including large banks, hotels, and public buildings. The 1970s saw the advent of motion detectors to activate sliding doors, the introduction of low-energy swing doors, and the first access doors for disabled people.
While the modern automatic door is a relatively recent innovation, the idea of automatic doors dates back to the first century AD. The mathematician and engineer Heron of Alexandria, who lived in Roman Egypt, is credited with designing the first automatic door. He described two different applications of this technology. The first used heat from a fire lit by a temple priest to build up atmospheric pressure in a brass vessel, which pumped water into adjacent containers. These containers acted as weights, enabling a series of ropes and pulleys to open the temple doors when people arrived for prayer. The second application used a similar mechanism to open the city gates.
In 1931, US engineers Horace H. Raymond and Sheldon S. Roby of Stanley Works designed the first model of an optical device to trigger the opening of an automatic door. This invention was installed in Wilcox's Pier Restaurant in West Haven, Connecticut, to aid waiters carrying plates and drinks.
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Automatic doors became popular in the 1960s
The popularity of automatic doors in the 1960s can be attributed to several factors, including increasing commercialisation, technological advancements, and a focus on convenience and accessibility.
In 1954, Americans Dee Horton and Lew Hewitt invented the first sliding automatic door, similar to the ones used today. They identified the need for automatic doors in Corpus Christi, Texas, where people faced difficulties using swing doors in windy conditions. In 1960, Horton and Hewitt installed the first automatic door in Corpus Christi, using a mat actuator. The same year, they sold the first automatic sliding door in America and co-founded Horton Automatics Inc.
Throughout the 1960s, automatic sliding doors became increasingly prevalent in various establishments. Their application extended to commercial buildings, large banks, hotels, and public buildings. These doors were often pneumatic-powered, with an emergency breakout feature, and activated by electric floor mats.
The benefits of automatic doors were recognised, particularly in locations with high foot traffic. They provided convenience for customers and improved accessibility for individuals with disabilities, those with children, or those carrying shopping carts or armloads of purchases.
The popularity of automatic doors in the 1960s also spurred the development of new activation methods. Over time, other ways to activate commercial doors emerged, including pneumatic-powered doors and motion-activated doors. The increasing popularity of automatic doors during this decade contributed to the establishment of a new industry, with sliding automatic doors becoming the norm in many public spaces.
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Infrared sensors for automatic doors were introduced in the 1980s
The automatic doors we know today were invented in 1954 by Americans Dee Horton and Lew Hewitt. The first automatic doors were installed in 1960 in Corpus Christi, Texas, using a mat actuator. Over the years, as automatic doors became more popular, other means of activation began to emerge, including pneumatic-powered doors, electric floor mats, and motion-activated doors.
In the 1970s, motion detectors were introduced to activate sliding doors, and the first access doors for disabled people were initiated. It was in this decade that the American National Standards Institute wrote the first standard for power-operated doors.
In the 1980s, infrared presence sensors were introduced due to safety concerns. These infrared sensors were designed to monitor and self-adjust in real time to changing environmental conditions, reducing instances of false door activations. Infrared sensors were initially developed for military use, detecting the presence of objects by radiating heat from them. The higher the temperature of the object, the stronger the radiation of infrared rays. Infrared sensors were soon used on all types of automatic doors, becoming the standard activation method by the 1990s.
Today, automatic doors are commonplace in commercial buildings, with various activation methods, including infrared, pressure, and motion sensors.
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Frequently asked questions
The first automatic sliding doors were invented in 1954 by Dee Horton and Lew Hewitt. They used a mat actuator. In 1960, the first commercial automatic sliding doors were placed on the market.
The first known automatic doors were invented in the 1st century AD by mathematician Heron of Alexandria in Roman Egypt. Heron described two applications. The first used heat from a fire to build up pressure in a brass vessel, which pumped water into containers that acted as weights. These weights, through a series of ropes and pulleys, opened the doors. The second application was used to open city gates and worked in a similar way.
Throughout the 1960s, automatic sliding doors became progressively more common in commercial buildings such as stores, banks, and public buildings.
Today, automatic doors come in a variety of options, including sliding, revolving, swinging, folding, and rotating.
Automatic doors are a valuable asset for businesses and make life easier for many people, including those with disabilities, seniors, and parents. They also make buildings ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant.
