The Story Behind Von Duprin

The Story Behind Von Duprin provides a detailed description of the 1903 Iroquois Theater fire, and how that tragedy would inspire a hardware salesman from Indianapolis to invent one of the most important life safety products of the 20th century.
Special thanks to Eric Edward Esper for his incredible painting (check out more of his art at ericesper.com), the Chicago History Museum for historical photographs, and to Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Historic Indiana Maps.
For more information about the Iroquois Theater fire, check out Tinderbox, a book by Anthony Hatch; Chicago Death Trap, a book by Nat Brandt, and the memorial web site, www.iroquoistheater.com .
For more information about Von Duprin panic exit devices, please visit www.allegion.com/us

[@blackhawkdoors2405]

Over the course of 35 + years I have literally installed 1000's of Von Duprin Exit/Panic devices. IMO...hands down The Best. Thank you to these gentlemen. I thank you, the world thanks you.

[@VonDuprinSafety]

Thank you very much for your thoughtful comment!

[@karendaugherty7360]

Proud to work for an such an amazing company at Allegion where everyone continues to live Carl's vision of making the world safer and securing the places where people thrive!

[@colemarie9262]

Who knew the history of something so commonplace to us now would be so interesting! I came here from a video on the theatre fire that mentioned push bar doors, and it was the first I had heard of the connection.

[@doshiastewart1339]

The Von Duprin story gives me chills every time I hear it!

[@raellis2013]

Excellent video! I'm thankful for this and many innovations that develop from profound experiences, such as this terrible tragedy. I know Carl would be so proud to see how many lives have been positively impacted by his inventions.

[@netoxicky]

Interesting and sad piece of history. Great video.

[@petecrouse6272]

This story and video kicked me back this week. Interesting to see the evolution of first safety solutions and being part of all of it at Pop-A-Lock.

[@jackpestaner6925]

A fine family of products indeed. I especially like the beauty of the 55 devices, a great legacy product.

[@citylockapolytechnikeyllcc7936]

I totally agree... The 55, in bright chromium is mid-century-modern art. Placed upon Stainless steel polished narrow stile doors... yummy! Evolution of egress has made these and the 88 and its poor little sister, the 44 forboden as falling debris can get behind the bars; preventing them from retracting their latches/bolts.

[@rabbit_abel]

god bless you for looking out

[@TreyWait]

What a fascinating bit of history.

[@VonDuprinSafety]

Thank you! You may also be interested in checking out another great historical story over on our sister channel SchlageSecurity : The Story Behind Schlage. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGXblWVog66KbKs

[@chadrowland5234]

Panic hardware is my most preferred method of locking exterior doors of my business. Panic hardware is my standard for exterior doors and fire rated interior doors. The reason is simple. They do a great job. No special knowledge is needed to release them, just push the bar. If your hands are full, just put your butt against the bar and push. I once had to carry my 3 year old niece out of the door at a restaurant and no need to put her down to open the door. Carrying my niece, I put my butt against the bar and push and the door opened at once. And, yet...panic hardware will do all of that which I described while still allowing the door to be locked from the outside.

[@citylockapolytechnikeyllcc7936]

Unfortunately, the advent and perfection of the LEVER set, introduced early 1970s, dominating by the early 2000's has severely undermined the expanded use of the Panic Exit Device, be it VonDuprin, Yale, Sargent or PRecision. Code requirements softened, yielding on economy, and LEVERS were allowed on moderate occupancy load structures. Commercial kitchen exits, common doorways often are allowed to have merely a lever or paddle, depending on local AHJ. Currently, it is not uncommon to find code requirements to have double locked doors on all customer facing entries.....requiring a key to open FROM THE INSIDE. This is a huge step backward, based on a questionable premise. I implore the local authorities who preside over building codes to reverse these fire traps, and require emergency egress hardware on all common egress points, and all fire doors within. IMHO. the only consideration should be the safe and swift evacuation of a building.