This is 99% invisible. I'm Roman Mars.

The story goes like this.

And keep in mind with all these origin stories,

when they sound a little too much like stories they're probably not

completely true but anyway the story goes like this. Theophilus Van Canel hated

chivalry. There was nothing he despised more than trying to walk in or out of a

building and locking horns with some other man in a game of... No, you first.

No, of course. No, I insist. You you first and more than that socially mandated deference to other men

Theophilus Van Canel hated opening doors for women and so Theophilus Van Canel, or Theo for short, took a German innovation from 1881,

the Tua Onelufzuk, or Door without draft of Aver. He made some improvements to the design and in 1888 was awarded an American patent for the improved

revolving door. The first one was installed in Times Square in 1899. That's our producer, Sam Greenspan.

Van Canel's improved revolving door had three compartments and weather stripping to ensure an

energy efficient fit inside the door frame.

His 1888 patent states that quote, it is perfectly noiseless in its operation and effectually prevents the entrance of wind, snow, rain, or dust, either when it is closed or when persons are passing through it.

And as a bonus, annihilates any chance of social interaction that one might have

while entering or exiting a building. The motto of Theo Van Canel's revolving door

company was always open, always closed.

And so for the past 100 plus years,

we have had the solution to keep dust and noise

and rain and sleet and snow from entering our buildings.

And yet, the likelihood that you will actually use it

is very, very low.

...