The Evolution and Making of Door Handles

When you consider that some 120 million doorways exist in the United States alone and another two million are installed each year, you can only imagine the vast number of door knobs. Going back in history, doors were initially made from textiles and animal hides. However, during the ancient Mesopotamia and Egyptian era, wooden doors were developed. Soon, materials for making doors expanded to include stone, glass, metal, and even paper.

Doors throughout history have also changed regarding functionality. For instance, we still find doors of all types, those that roll, slide, swing, and fold. Of course, for doors to function, hardware is required to include lever door handle on plate manufacturers. Just as with doors, handles have a long history although these were first manufactured during the mid-19th century in America. The first handle was shaped like an egg and today, they are still found in many homes, especially older homes. Interestingly, because of the way this type of door handle is grasped, it has proved to be the easiest to open.

We have also seen door handles made from many different materials although most people think of some kind of metal. However, handles have also been made from ceramic, wood, glass, plastic, etc. One of the oldest materials that are still among the more popular options is brass. For one thing, brass looks gorgeous but it is also rust resistant. Today's brass door handle is somewhat different from those made in earlier times due to finishes. For instance, for a more modern appearance, many people choose brushed or satin brass.