Jun 26 2011
The Fascinating History Of Schlage Lock
In 1927 Walter Schlage (inventor) and Charles Kendrick (local businessman) formed a partnership known as The Schlage Lock Company. Combining their exceptional talents the young inventor and the businessman became known as the industry’s leader in manufacturing locks.
Walter Schlage was born in Thuringia, Germany. He was nicknamed “The Lock Wizard of Thuringia”.
At the age of 14, his father was able to get Walter special permission to attend schooling at the Carl Zeiss Optical Works. It was there he learned the technical skills of engineering, drafting and applied mechanics he excelled in his learning and received a special award of merit for his scholarship.
After he finished his schooling, he went to the United States and worked for Western Electric Company. Walter enjoyed the carefree life of traveling so much he decided to get a job as an engineer on ships traveling to Central America.
After returning to San Francisco, California he went back to work for Western Electric Company in his free time he enjoyed perfecting his brilliant ideas of inventing locks. He invented a door lock that had the ability to turn lights off and on and in 1909 he patented his invention.
In 1920 Walter put enough funds together to start a small manufacturing business. He designed and produced the first lock with a push button locking device centered in the doorknob. The company expanded from 6 to 100 employees working 2 shifts producing almost 20,000 locks each month.
Walter Schlage took a leap of faith and purchased land in San Fransico, California known as Visitacion Valley. The first plant was dedicated on June 25, 1926 to produce the push button lock.
After a few financial set backs, he befriended Charles Kendrick a well-known businessman to come to his aide. In 1927 he appointed Charles to be president of the Schlage Lock Company.
In 1940 Walter Schlage received the “Modern Pioneer Award” an honor given to outstanding American Inventors. Walter passed away 6 years later.
Charles Kendrick, President continued to lead the Schlage Lock Company to great success, winning the bid to install the locks for the Pan American Building in 1964.
Through the years the company diversified the type of locks to be manufactured, including low cost locks, custom door hardware, premium door hardware and panic door opener locks.
In 1974 Ingersoll Rand purchased the Schlage Lock Company to compliment their line of products.
In 1975 Schalge Lock continued to expand by adding a new facility manufacturing location in New Zealand.
In 1976 Schlage Lock opened a manufacturing plant in Security, Colorado producing cylinder locks, mortise locks and Patented Key Systems. There are also 2 locations in Mexico manufacturing and assembling locks.
Schlage has continued to be the industry leader in manufacturing high quality locks. Keeping up with the high technology available today to produce locks and setting the bar for industry standards and their customers needs. One of their most popular models is the Schlage deadbolt keypad which provides pushbutton access to a home for a minimal price.
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