Automatic doors are an integral part of daily life for millions of people worldwide. Today, we expect the doors of offices, stores, hospitals, airports, gyms, public spaces, and many other places to open for us. Especially after the pandemic, we have witnessed the growing popularity of automatic door systems as interest in contactless technologies has surged.

The Inventor of the World’s First Example: Heron of Alexandria

Have you ever wondered when and by whom the first automatic doors were invented? Let us satisfy your curiosity. Historians point out that the first example of an automatic door in the world was invented in the 1st century AD by Greek mathematician and engineer Heron of Alexandria, who was active in ancient Egypt.

The Journey That Began with Temple Doors

Heron’s experiments and theories were recorded in his book Pneumatica, a comprehensive edition of which was published by Teubner in 1903. In this work, Heron describes a mechanism he used to open the doors of a temple. According to the information provided, the mechanism was powered by heat from a fire lit on the altar at the temple entrance. Once the priest lit the fire, the mechanism under the altar began to operate. The air inside the altar heated up, expanded, and created pressure on a sphere beneath, causing water to be pumped into several containers. This triggered a pulley system that automatically opened the temple doors. Sources indicate that this technique was later applied to city gates and other locations.

The First Modern Automatic Doors

The first modern automatic doors, as we know them today, were invented in the mid-1950s and started to be actively sold in the 1960s. Initially used in banks, hotels, and various public spaces, the use of automatic doors in offices quickly became widespread. In the 1970s, motion detectors were added to automatic doors, and by the 1980s, the integration of sensors led to the rapid rise of automatic revolving doors. The first automatic folding doors found their place in the industry in the early 1990s, and today the automatic door systems industry continues to evolve and develop rapidly.

A Hygienic and Eco-Friendly Solution

Today, automatic doors, which can be found in nearly every commercial building, open as if by magic when approached and close behind us in the same way. This allows for contactless entry, providing a hygienic environment from the moment you step into a building. Automatic door systems also contribute to energy savings in buildings while offering sound and dust insulation. If you want a transition to both eco-friendly and hygienic automatic door systems, you can explore our wide range of products by clicking the link .