When was the first roller shutter door invented?
Posted on 24th January 2023 at 12:39
The need for security and the provision of a safe haven for both people and goods has long been recognised.
In the ancient world, many nomadic tribes used rolled up animal skins on the front of their huts to offer extra insulation and protection.
Who deserves the credit for first trademarking the roller shutter door?
Well, that is ‘patently’ an issue.
No-one can really agree however most credit A.L Johnson all the way back in 1850.
The basic idea has not changed much in over 160 years!
The early roller shutters were all opened manually. This was either using a crank or by physically pulling the door open or shut. This was slow, dirty and hard work.
It still is!
Metal doors are very heavy – especially when you try to open them.
In the 1970’s, industries were beginning to see the benefits of large roller shutter doors for their warehouses. They kept the electricity bill down, offered great security and were pretty easy to repair.
They replaced the old sliding doors which used a single track along the ground. This would often fill with muck and dirt and the door would stick, fall out of the track and become damaged!
Roller shutters used side tracks instead. This meant they stayed free of dirt. What a clever idea!
Nowadays, modern roller shutters are mainly electrically driven and feature many essential safety features.
These include sensors which can tell the door to open or close as you approach or leave, safety brakes which stop the door from falling suddenly and pressure sensors to stop the door closing when someone passes beneath.
Well, no-one really knows for sure. Sorry. What we do know is that they have been around for centuries in one form or another.
Modern roller shutters now are made from a variety of materials, come in all shapes and sizes and have come a long way from their ancient origins. To learn more about how roller shutters can benefit your business visit www.stanair.co.uk.
Share this post: