The concept of revolving doors came about due to Theophilus Van Kannel, an American inventor, who was frustrated with the awkwardness of deciding who should enter a door first when with others. Van Kannel found this situation irritating and decided to address it by creating a solution.
In 1888, he patented his invention known as the “storm door structure,” which included weather strips to prevent energy loss. The first revolving door was installed at Rector’s restaurant in Times Square the following year after he patented it.
Although revolving doors may seem unconventional, they serve multiple purposes in public buildings such as regulating temperature and air pressure, leading to a 30% reduction in energy costs for the establishment. According to a study conducted by MIT, revolving doors exchange significantly less air compared to conventional doors, aiding in maintaining a building’s internal temperatures.
Despite their benefits, only a minority of people, about 20-30%, choose to use revolving doors, with many opting for standard doors instead. Additionally, some individuals believe that revolving doors can create confusion regarding proper etiquette, with around 50% suggesting that women should be allowed to enter first as a gesture of courtesy.
What are your thoughts on revolving doors? Watch the video above for further insights.
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