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The electric garage door opener was invented by C.G. Johnson in 1926 in Hartford City, Indiana. Johnson, who founded the Overhead Door Corporation, also introduced the first overhead garage doors in 1921. The electric garage door opener was the first major home automation device, but it wasn't until the 1970s that they became common in residential use. After World War II, garage door openers were bulky and expensive, but over time, their size and cost decreased. The addition of the remote control in the mid-1940s made the automatic operation of garage doors more convenient.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Inventor | C.G. Johnson |
| Year of Invention | 1926 |
| Place of Invention | Hartford City, Indiana |
| Company | Overhead Door Corporation |
| Other Inventions | Segmented overhead garage door, upward lifting garage door |
| Time Period of Invention | Great Depression |
| Popularity | Post World War II |
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What You'll Learn
- C.G. Johnson invented the electric garage door opener in 1926
- Garage door openers became popular after World War II
- Remote-controlled garage door openers were the first major home automation device
- Garage door openers became safer after the US government mandated the use of advanced sensors in 1993
- California law requires automatic garage door openers to have a battery backup function
C.G. Johnson invented the electric garage door opener in 1926
The electric garage door opener was invented by C.G. Johnson in 1926 in Hartford City, Indiana. Johnson founded the Overhead Door Corporation, which is still an industry leader today. Johnson also invented the first overhead garage doors in 1921, noticing that some people were struggling to open their garage doors.
The introduction of the automobile around 100 years ago led to garages becoming commonplace in America. Motorized openers in the 1920s helped to automate the process of opening garage doors. However, it wasn't until after World War II that garage door openers became more widespread and commercially marketed.
Electric garage door openers became popular after the Era Meter Company of Chicago offered one after World War II. The door could be opened via a keypad located on a post at the end of the driveway or a switch inside the garage.
The first remote-controlled electric garage door openers were built in 1931 by two different teams working independently. In 1954, the Alliance Manufacturing Co., now known as Genie Co., introduced the first mass-produced, radio-controlled garage door opener.
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Garage door openers became popular after World War II
Garage door openers were invented in the 1920s, but they did not become popular until after World War II. During the war, the electronics industry experienced significant growth, and this technology expanded into the consumer market in the post-war era.
In the post-World War II era, millions of Americans moved out of city centres to new suburban homes. Cars were a necessity in these suburbs, and garages became a standard feature of new homes. Illinois and other Midwestern states, including Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, were at the forefront of garage door innovations during this period.
The overhead garage door, which saved space by eliminating the need for large swinging doors, was one of the first advancements in garage door technology. The next significant development was the creation of sectional doors that curled smoothly upwards, further enhancing space efficiency and ease of use.
The Era Meter Company of Chicago played a pivotal role in popularising garage door openers after World War II. Their product, the 'Driv-Rite-In' garage door opener, featured in a 1946 issue of Popular Science magazine. It allowed users to open the overhead garage door via a keypad at the end of the driveway or a switch inside the garage.
The 1950s witnessed several companies introducing wireless garage door openers, marking a new phase in the evolution of garage door technology. In 1954, the Alliance Manufacturing Co., now known as Genie Co., introduced the Genie, the first mass-produced, radio-controlled garage door opener.
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Remote-controlled garage door openers were the first major home automation device
The remote-controlled garage door opener was the first major home automation device, but it was not widely adopted in residential areas until the 1970s. The technology was invented during the Great Depression in the United States, and electric garage doors were first built in 1926 by C.G. Johnson, who founded the Overhead Door Corporation. Johnson also introduced the first overhead garage doors in 1921.
The first remote-controlled electric garage door openers were built in 1931 by two different teams working independently. However, the first mass-produced, radio-controlled garage door opener was introduced in 1954 by the Alliance Manufacturing Co., now known as Genies Co. This company also invented the direct-drive screw opener, which was the most popular unit installed in the 1970s.
The addition of the remote control made the automatic operation of the garage door a true convenience. However, garage door openers soon gained a reputation as a safety hazard, with multiple cases of young children being struck by descending doors and injured or killed. It was not until 1993 that the U.S. government mandated the use of advanced sensors to prevent such accidents. This development paved the way for LiftMaster, a company based in Oak Brook, Illinois, to dominate the market.
Today, garage door openers have become even more advanced, with features such as a direct current motor and a battery backup that allows the unit to continue working during a power outage. LiftMaster's myQ technology even allows homeowners to open or close their garage doors from anywhere using a smartphone.
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Garage door openers became safer after the US government mandated the use of advanced sensors in 1993
The electric garage door opener was invented by C.G. Johnson in 1926 in Hartford City, Indiana. However, garage door openers soon gained a reputation as a safety hazard, with multiple cases of children being injured or killed by descending doors. In 1988, two children were killed in separate garage door accidents on the same day in Minneapolis, leading to stricter safety requirements for garage door openers in Minnesota. In 1990, the US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act was passed, requiring automatic residential garage door operators to conform to entrapment protection requirements.
Finally, in 1993, garage door openers became significantly safer when the US government mandated the use of advanced sensors to prevent accidents and fatalities. This amendment to the 1990 Act required the use of "electric eyes" or equivalent technology to detect objects in the path of the closing door and reverse its direction. The LiftMaster garage door opener, which complied with this standard, became the best-selling garage door opener at the time. The technology behind LiftMaster's products heavily influenced the government-adopted standard.
The basic technology behind garage door openers has been around for several decades, with the first remote-controlled electric garage door openers built in 1931 by two different teams working independently. In 1954, the Alliance Manufacturing Co., now known as Genie Co., introduced the first mass-produced, radio-controlled garage door opener. The addition of remote controls in the mid-1940s made automatic garage doors more convenient, but also highlighted the need for improved safety measures.
Today, garage door openers have become much safer, with companies like LiftMaster offering a range of safety features and accessories. LiftMaster's products include belt, chain, and jackshaft drive garage door openers, with options for standby power systems and smartphone control. The safety of automatic garage door openers has undoubtedly improved over the years, with the US government's mandate for advanced sensors in 1993 playing a pivotal role in enhancing safety standards.
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California law requires automatic garage door openers to have a battery backup function
The electric overhead garage door opener was invented by C.G. Johnson in 1926 in Hartford City, Indiana. However, it wasn't until the 1970s that they became common in residential use. The first remote-controlled electric garage door openers were built in 1931 by two different teams working independently. In 1954, the Alliance Manufacturing Co., now known as Genie Co., introduced the first mass-produced, radio-controlled garage door opener.
In recent years, California has passed a law requiring automatic garage door openers to have a battery backup function. This law, known as Senate Bill No. 969 or SB969, was passed in response to the devastating California wildfires in 2017, which claimed the lives of at least 5 individuals who were unable to open their garage doors during a power outage. The bill was introduced by Senator Bill Dodd and signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown on September 21, 2018. It went into effect on July 1, 2019.
The law mandates that any automatic residential garage door opener manufactured, sold, offered for sale, or installed in California must have a battery backup function. This backup function is designed to operate during electrical outages, ensuring that garage doors can still be opened and closed even when the power is out. The law also imposes a civil penalty of $1000 for any violations of the bill's requirements.
The purpose of this legislation is to enhance public safety during emergencies, such as wildfires, when power outages may occur. It aims to prevent situations where individuals are unable to evacuate their homes or access necessary equipment due to their garage doors being inoperable without power. While some have argued that garage door openers with backup batteries require regular maintenance and should not be solely relied upon during emergencies, the law underscores the importance of having this feature as an additional safety measure.
California's SB969 highlights the evolving nature of legislation surrounding garage door openers. Over the years, safety concerns have driven regulations to include quick-release mechanisms, entrapment protection, and advanced sensors to prevent injuries and fatalities. The battery backup requirement in California is a testament to how laws adapt to address specific regional challenges, such as frequent wildfires, and underscores the ongoing efforts to enhance safety and accessibility in the face of evolving technological advancements.
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Frequently asked questions
C.G. Johnson invented the first electric garage door opener in 1926 in Hartford City, Indiana. Johnson founded the Overhead Door Corporation, which is still an industry leader today.
C.G. Johnson invented the first 'upward lifting garage door' in 1921. This was a segmented overhead garage door.
Yes, in 1931, two different teams working independently invented the first remote-controlled electric garage door openers. One inventor was from Illinois and the other from Spokane, Washington. Both used a radio transmitter to trigger the automatic operation of the door.
Electric garage door openers became popular after World War II when the Era Meter Company of Chicago offered one. However, they were still bulky and expensive. It wasn't until the 1970s that they became common in residential use.
