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Von Duprin was started in 1908,
when it introduced the first "panic release bar"
in response to a need for protecting life safety
while providing security, a purpose that still guides
the firm today. Indianapolis hardware salesman Carl
Prinzler missed a scheduled visit to Chicago's Iroquois
Theatre in 1903, thus escaping a disaster in which
594 people perished when the "fireproof" theater
burned. Obsessed with the needless loss of lives,
Prinzler was determined to solve the problem of
public buildings that often turned into death traps
when doors were locked to keep gate crashers out.
Prinzler teamed up with his neighbor, Henry DuPont,
an architectural engineer, who invented the first
working device. The initial model, introduced in
1908, was marketed by Vonnegut Hardware Company
under the name Von Duprin, a contraction of Vonnegut,
DuPont and Prinzler.
The popular 88 Series crossbar exit devices still
manufactured by Von Duprin have similar appearance
characteristics to the original design, although
significant enginering changes have been made.
Currently, Von Duprin manufactures the widest range
of exit devices and outside trim operations, including
rim-type and mortise lock, surface and concealed
vertical rod, fire-rated and several electrical
options. Security-related products include a full
line of electromagnetic locks, electric strikes,
card readers, and keypad-type access control systems.
Von Duprin
2720 Tobey Dr.
Indianapolis, IN 46219
Phone: 317-613-8944
FAX: 317-613-8302 |
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