When Were Automatic Doors Invented?

The first set of automatic doors was invented over 2,000 years ago by Heron of Alexandria, a Greek engineer and mathematician who lived in Egypt during the Roman Empire. Though it’s not certain whether his doors were ever constructed, according to Heron’s notes they were designed to be installed at the main entrance of a temple. To open the doors, priests were supposed to light a ceremonial fire in an altar out front.

As the fire grew, lead, stone, or terracotta piping directed its heat down into a water tank hidden in the basement. Pressure would build inside the tank until it forced the water up into a second tank suspended above the floor, which acted as a counterweight for the doors above.

Once the second tank was full, it would activate a series of pulleys and swing the doors open as if by magic, allowing worshippers to file in. After the fire was extinguished, the change in pressure would draw the water from the second tank back into the first. The second tank would gradually rise to its original position and the doors would swing shut again.

When Were Modern Automatic Doors Invented?

Despite the ingenuity of Heron’s design, it was not widely adopted and doors were opened manually for the next two millennia. The first modern automatic door was invented in the 20th century by two Americans, Horace H. Raymond and Sheldon S. Roby, and installed at Wilcox’s Pier Restaurant in West Haven, Connecticut in 1931.

The door was controlled by a photoelectric eye, which emitted a light beam that detected waiters and waitresses as they approached. The new system not only made it easier to carry food in and out of the kitchen, it also sped up service, now that staff no longer needed to stop and kick the door open when their hands were full.

Though the design was groundbreaking, automatic doors remained a relative rarity until 1954, when two engineers named Dee Horton and Lew Hewitt created an automatic door controlled by mat actuators, electronic sensors hidden beneath a rubber pad on either side of the entryway. Standing on the mat caused the door to open. The design caught on and spread rapidly during the 1960s, when automatic first became a regular feature of American life.

After this, innovation expanded rapidly. Automatic doors with motion sensors were released in the 1970s. Sliding automatic doors also became popular, enabling developers to improve access for disabled people. Infrared motion sensors were introduced in the 1980s and quickly became the standard for the entire industry. The 1980s also saw the first automatic revolving doors. Telescoping doors were installed in the 1990s ‒ finally allowing small buildings to automate their entryways. Today, automatic doors remain a staple of commercial buildings and are being integrated into touchless entry systems, creating a safe and convenient way for people to enter and exit buildings across the United States.

Automatic Door Service and Repair

Vortex inspects, repairs, and maintains all types of automatic doors. Our technicians are certified by the American Association of Automatic Door Manufacturers (AAADM), trained to understand the latest standards for automatic pedestrian doors. Their hands-on experience enables them to catch problems before they escalate ‒ ensuring your doors continue to operate safely, smoothly, and reliably. Contact us today to learn more about our automatic door services!