The History of Garage Door Openers

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Garages became commonplace in America with the introduction of the automobile about 100 years ago. For decades, the driver or a passenger would have to get out of a car and open the garage door. In the 1920s, motorized openers helped automate this process. A button located inside the garage activated the system. A common workaround would be to string a wire to an outside location along the driveway allowing the driver to drive up, roll down the car window, reach out and open the door. Of course, this means anyone could open the garage door. World War II stimulated the electronics industry's growth, which expanded into the consumer market after the war. In the 1950s, several companies introduced wireless garage door openers.

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Overhead Door Corporation 

C. G. Johnson, who founded the Overhead Door Corporation, introduced the first overhead garage doors in 1921 and later introduced an electric garage door opener in 1926. After World War II, garage door openers were bulky and expensive. Over time, Moore's Law kicked in, reducing the garage door openers' size and cost. Today, Overhead Door Corporation offers a full line of both garage doors and openers.

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Genie

The Alliance Manufacturing Company starting in 1923, produced a broad line of consumer, industrial, and military products. Like most companies during World War II, Alliance helped with the war effort making fuse caps, voltage regulators, canteen handles, and generators. In 1954, the company marketed a garage door opener named Genie, the first mass-produced, radio-controlled residential garage door opener. Genie invented the direct-drive screw opener, which was probably the most popular unit installed in the 1970s. Overhead Door Corporation purchased Genie in 1994.

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Chamberlain Group

The Chamberlain Company started manufacturing washing machine wringers and home ironers before the Great Depression. During World War II, the company produced munitions. After the war, the company took President Harry Truman's advice to come home and make America a better place in peace. So, they went back to manufacturing consumer products with a focus on garage door automation. In the 1980s, the Duchossois Group (TDG) acquired Chamberlain and became its sole owner in 1983. The new acquisition became part of TDG's consumer products division and was named the Chamberlain Group, Inc. 

With the Duchossois family's deep pockets, Chamberlain Group, Inc., went on a merger and acquisition binge to acquire control, wireless, and keyless entry systems technology. It also bought smaller competitors to gain market share. Today, the Chamberlain Group, has about a 65 percent market share of the garage door automation market. The company offers three garage door product lines. 

  1. Chamberlain - Focuses on construction-grade openers and do-it-yourself garage door opener kits.

  2. LiftMaster - Supports the professional service installer market.

  3. Clicker: Manufactures a whole line of universal garage door remote control devices.

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Lakewood Garage Door

Lakewood Garage Door installs LiftMaster products, including belt, chain, wall-mounted, and accessories. LiftMaster's myQ allows homeowners to open or close their garage doors from anywhere using a smartphone. Its extensive line of accessories can transform any garage into a more functional space and add many safety features.

LiftMaster Belt Drive Garage Door Openers - Lakewood Garage Door recommends LiftMaster Belt Drive garage door openers when the garage is attached to a home living area because these openers are quieter. LiftMaster offers two belt-drive motors - Premium and Elite.

LiftMaster Chain Drive Garage Door Openers - LiftMaster offers three chain drives: Elite, Premium, and Contractor, with the Premium Series being the most popular. These openers are mid-priced with a rich selection of options and accessories. For heavy carriage, wood, and custom garage doors, the Elite model is the best opener.

LiftMaster Jackshaft Drive Garage Door Openers - Lakewood Garage Door installs LiftMaster Jackshaft when there is not enough ceiling space to mount a motor. This opener comes with an optional standby power system that will continue working, even when the power goes out. Other options are available for the wall-mounted garage door opener.

Need a new garage door opener? Please call us at 303-202-1233 to schedule an appointment. We are at your service.

John Downs