From Ancient Temples to Automatic Door Day 2026

March 19th is National Automatic Door Day, and we're celebrating by taking a quick trip through history - and it all starts before automatic sliding doors ever existed.

Ancient Engineers Had Range

Automatic doors didn't start in the 20th century.

In the 1st century, Heron of Alexandria rigged up a steam-powered system that swung open giant temple doors when worshippers lit a fire. Early special effects? Absolutely.

Fast-forward to the 7th century, where Emperor Yang of Sui reportedly installed a hands-free door in his royal library.

Moral of the story: touchless entry is not new at all.

Enter: The Modern Era

Skip ahead to 1931: a Connecticut restaurant wanted waitstaff to move hands-free, so engineers Raymond and Roby built the first modern automatic door. Simple problem, smart fix.

But the true plot twist arrived in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Horton Automatics Changes Everything

In 1954, Dee Horton and Lew Hewitt were working on automatic door opener technology when a classic Texas windstorm blew in. Swing doors didn't stand a chance, so they created a better automatic door solution built for tough winds. 

The automatic sliding door.

In 1960, the first automatic sliding door was installed at Sears, and commercial architecture hasn't been the same since. As a pioneering automatic door manufacturer, Horton Automatics became the industry standard — and today, Horton Automatics and Door Services Corporation proudly carry that legacy forward. Every time a sliding door opens for you, that's Horton DNA at work.

What Automatic Doors Do Today

Today's automatic doors are smarter, faster, safer, and everywhere. Modern automatic door systems rely on motion sensors and smart controls to manage traffic flow — whether that's an automatic revolving door at a busy hotel entrance, automatic sliding doors at a health care facility, or a low energy swing door operator in an office building. The right automatic door system makes a real difference in how a commercial building performs.

They help with:

• Accessibility – independence and dignity for everyone entering a building. Unlike traditional doors or a manual door, automatic doors remove barriers entirely.
• Hygiene – fewer touchpoints, fewer germs. Automatic door openers keep hands off surfaces where it matters most.
• Energy Efficiency – controlled airflow = lower heating and cooling costs. Low energy operators and door operators are especially effective here, minimizing energy draw on every cycle.
• Security – seamless integration with security systems, access control, and commercial door hardware including exit devices, door closers, and automatic door operators.

Billions of open-and-close cycles happen each year across commercial doors in every industry — and trained technicians (including our own AAADM certified technicians!) keep them running.

There's something magical about watching someone discover automatic doors for the very first time. This video says it all — you can't help but smile!

Five Years of Celebrating

National Automatic Door Day launched in 2021, and we've been opening doors to the celebration every year since.

On March 19th, we honor:

• the ancient innovators,
• the brilliant minds behind the automatic sliding door,
• and every technician and facility professional who keeps buildings accessible, efficient, and safe.

Want to learn more about automatic door options for your facility? Contact Door Services Corporation — we've been keeping businesses moving for over 50 years.

Happy Automatic Door Day 2026!