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Theophilus Van Kannel

Born: 1841
Birthplace: Philadelphia, PA
Died: 24-Dec-1919
Location of death: New York City
Cause of death: Heart Failure
Remains: Buried, West Park Cemetery, Cleveland, OH

Gender: Male
Race or Ethnicity: White
Occupation: Inventor, Business

Nationality: United States
Executive summary: Revolving door

Theophilus Van Kannel invented the revolving door, which prevents cooled or heated air from inside a building from escaping as people enter and leave, and founded the Van Kannel Revolving Door Company (now International Revolving Door Company). His other inventions included the cherry stoner, which removes cherry pits; the changeable fulcrum door check, an early system for pulling doors gently closed without slamming; and Witching Waves, a popular ride at major amusement parks in the early 20th century, in which passengers seated on a small bench were propelled around a large oval track by a flexible undulating metal floor. He never married.

    National Inventors Hall of Fame 2007
    John Scott Medal 1889
    Van Kannel Revolving Door Company Founder & President (1889-1907)
    Franklin Institute
    Swiss Ancestry


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