Your door is more than just the entrance to your home&#;it&#;s a fascinating witness to thousands of years of human history. Doors have been around for millennia and were placed at the threshold between worlds, literally and metaphorically. While it&#;s difficult to identify precisely when doors first appeared in our lives, we can see evidence that they have been essential in our culture for as long as recorded time has existed. In this blog post, we will explore the ancient origins of doors, how their designs changed over time to become modern recognisable versions found in each and every one of our homes today and delve into some fun trivia along the way
The history of prehistoric doors can be traced back to Paleolithic and Neolithic times when humans began using certain materials such as stones, animal skins and wood to make door frames. The use of stone and wood continued throughout the Paleolithic and Neolithic Stone Ages, with various cultures, like Ancient Egyptians, experimenting with architectural techniques for making these doors.
Then, in the Iron Age, advances in metalworking made it possible to create stronger and sturdier door frames from iron or brass, paving the way for more intricate designs. This process came full circle in the Middle Ages, where carpenters often drew from ancient designs from Ancient Egyptian culture to create beautiful doors that could withstand the test of time.
The history of doors in ancient China and the Middle East is marvellous. But even more impressive are the technologies used to build them. The craftsmanship that went into building these entryways was remarkable, from simple wooden posts to intricately painted designs. Ancient Egyptians had stone threshold slabs with heavy timber doors, full of symbolism, as they provided access and acted as a barrier for evil spirits.
On the other hand, in ancient China, single-leaf or double-leaf doorways were made out of wood and brickwork framing with sliding mechanisms controlled by vertical bars connected to a spring latch. Most buildings would have exquisite carvings depicting religious scenes or sayings on their doors and the surrounding walls. Doors throughout both regions played an essential role in conveying societal norms and values, demonstrating prosperity and an effective form of defence against intruders.
Doors have been a part of physical architecture for centuries, with ancient Greece being one of the first recognizable cultures to incorporate them. Although relatively simple in structure, doors served an essential purpose for Ancient Greeks: providing privacy and security. The pivot hinge, a method of swinging open a door still used today, was the most common method used to construct a door in Ancient Greece; this enabled the door to be opened easily from either side.
Large houses sometimes had two pivot-hinged doors meeting one another when closed. Other types of entranceways included portals with hinged lattices which featured moveable bars so guests could be admitted while keeping unwanted visitors out. Doors served as functional architectural elements and conveyed status and aesthetic appeal as some were painted or sculpted into more elaborate imagery and decor.
Ancient Rome is famous for its iconic architectural legacy, and its doors are no exception. Doors in ancient Rome were incredibly diverse and characterised by their large size and intricate details. Ranging from huge double doors installed near the entrance of public buildings to solid wooden panels placed at the entrance of homes, these grand portals are used to welcome visitors and prevent trespassers. These entrances often adorned sculptures of gods or goddesses representing the household&#;s loyalties and beliefs, providing further evidence of Roman life. As a result, what was once merely a simple structure became an emblem admired by art connoisseurs throughout the centuries.
Shoji doors, originating from Japan, have seen a remarkable rise in popularity over the past several years. First introduced during the Heian period (794&#;) as a form of portable partition between rooms, they instantly became a firm favourite among ordinary citizens due to their lightweight construction and ability to allow natural light to penetrate through their rice paper panels.
By the Muromachi period (-), Shoji had become widely established across Japan and was common in homes and castles. Their intricate design and use of wood frames and translucent rice paper ensured their status as an attractive part of traditional Japanese design. Today, thanks to their timelessness, these doors remain popular in residential and commercial locations, simultaneously enhancing aesthetics whilst providing extra privacy if desired.
Doors were extremely important in Medieval Europe, where wooden door frames and planks with metal hinges and locks became commonplace. The wooden doors of the period were handmade by skilled craftsmen, who could vary in thickness, size, colour, style, and decoration depending on the household&#;s needs. In addition to providing personal security, wooden doors during this time also declared one&#;s wealth and prestige; wealthier families installed large wooden double doors embellished with detailed carvings and metalwork to show off their wealth.
As time progressed throughout the Middle Ages, wooden doors began to be used for symbolic purposes, representing hospitality towards guests or warding off evil spirits. Despite the ever-increasing complexity of wooden door designs during this era due to advances in construction technology and woodworking tools, some ancient wooden doors from medieval Europe still survive today.
Doors during the Renaissance period were a sign of luxury and extravagance, indicative of one&#;s wealth. Doors often had glass panels to allow natural light to enter homes and castles, glass which would have been prohibitively expensive at the time. These glass doors were one of the first examples of glass manufacturing in Venice during the XV century, proving instrumental in ushering in an era of glass opulence.
Furthermore, wood carvings on these glass doors often represented profound meanings to those interacting with them, adding another layer of sophistication to this architectural style. In general, glass doors in Renaissance served as indicators of wealth as well as complex decorations that symbolically expressed culture and beliefs.
During the industrial revolution, the production of doors began to increase, as they were increasingly seen as a symbol of safety, security, comfort and convenience. Doors made of wood were regarded as a sign of wealth and class, while iron doors became more popular amongst warehouses and factories due to their ability to stand strong against fire. In the 19th century, factories began focusing on fire-resistant materials for door construction for safety and durability purposes.
Furthermore, automatic doors&#;run by an electrical device or some kind of mechanism&#;were developed to minimize human labour. These technologies allowed businesses to operate more effectively and efficiently during the industrial revolution, reducing time spent opening and closing large manual doors. Undoubtedly, doors have played an essential role throughout history in providing better living conditions during periods of rapid change like the industrial revolution.
Doors have been present in buildings for thousands of years, but over the centuries, they have become increasingly complex and multifunctional. In the late 18th century, modern door technology began to evolve, allowing for more efficiency and convenience. Design advancements like mortise locks, automatic closers, and hinges enabled doors to become much more secure and functional. Shortly after that, modern fire doors were invented, which helped improve safety by containing flames within the rooms they protected.
In recent decades, technological improvements have brought us smart doors with features such as keyless entry systems, motion activation sensors, and powerful locking mechanisms. Today, modern doors are being designed with improved insulation properties to help regulate the temperature in our homes and keep energy costs low. There&#;s no denying that door technology has come a long way since its inception!
Doors have come a long way regarding structural design, security features, and energy efficiency. From the early days when they were used to protect Paleolithic caves to today, when they are increasingly smart and automated, doors play an essential role in our lives. As technology continues to evolve, we must consider the environmental impacts of the doors we choose for our homes and businesses, making sure to select the most energy-efficient and sustainable ones. Doing so can ensure that our doors protect us for years to come.
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When Were Doors First Invented? The Fascinating History of Doors | Doors2Floors
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From the simple openings in Paleolithic caves to modern-day automated garage doors, discover the fascinating history of doors and their importance in human civilization.
Where there has been civilisation, there have been doors - for security, shelter from the elements and for privacy. Doors are a simple structure and yet it wasn't until the invention of the hinge that a pivoting door was possble. Before the hinge, doors were stone blocks or most likely, fabrics and animal hides. Read on to discover the timeline of the development of the door.
During the ancient era, doors were primitive and natural materials such as stone and animal hide were used. The ancient pyramids in Egypt, for example, contained many chambers and tombs that were sealed off with heavy stone doors.
Villager homes and settlements during this ancient period would have mostly used animal skins and woven fabrics for door coverings. These coverings were designed to provide privacy and to keep draughts out, rather than security, and were similar to a curtain. Wood also came into use but the wooden doors were primitive and it was only after the invention of the hinge that pivoting doors were possible.
Although most ancient doors were primitive, a bronze hinge has been discovered from Egypt 8th century B.C. Historical sites all over the world, such as this site in Cambodia, have also uncovered a type of hinged pivot. These rudimentary pivot hinges were used on stone doors and allowed the doors to be opened much in the same way as a saloon door.
In Kerala, India, this temple has an unopened door surrounded by sacred mystery. Legends say this door can only be opened by correctly chanting the Garuda Mantra. Without bolts or latches of any visible kind, the sealed doorway is protected by two stone cobras. If the door is opened by means other than the right sound waves of the chant, catastrophe will be unleashed, of an apocalyptic nature, not only over India, but the whole world. Sounds like the perfect Indiana Jones or Lara Croft film plot!
The Roman civilisation is known for their inventive engneering projects. They also made the blueprint for doors that we use today - folding doors, sliding doors, double doors - and they also created hinge designs that are still in use today.
Metal doors or portcullis gates were used to provide extra security for Medieval castles. Security was the main consideration for using metal doors and
Later, in the Renaissance, bronze was used by sculptors to create elaborate designs for door panels. The most famous of these are the South side doors of the Baptistry of San Giovanni. Made by Andrea Pisano, around , the doors consist of 28 stunning panels depicting the life of St John.
Wood is the most popular and versatile material choice for a door. Wooden doors have been in existence from the start of civilisation. According to the bible, King Solomon, the biblical Israelite King, had olive wood doors made for his Temple.
The ancient Egyptians also used wooden doors in their homes and temples.
In , the oldest European wooden door ever found in Europe was unearthed in Zurich by archaeologists. The boards are held in place with a remarkable design, according to archaeologists, and hinges were used for fitting the door in place. The door dates back to approximately the same time as the construction of Stonehenge.
We hope you found this door timeline journey interesting. For further information please see our next article: A Brief History Of The Door Handle.
Photo credit to: @naszymokiem for the Cambodian Temple photo and @alifoudhegazy for the Egyptian Pyramid photo.
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