Who was O. Dorsey, beyond inventor of the door knob?

December 11, 2005 12:29 PM

Does anyone have any information on O. Dorsey, inventor of the door knob (and doorstop)?

I've got this fascination with door knobs, and, today, have decided to rummage through the internet seeking information on their invention and evolution. I am, however, having trouble finding much of anything on O. Dorsey, beyond that he created the door knob on December 10th of 1878. Any further knowledge would be of great use to my insatiable curiosity.

posted by The Great Big Mulp to Science & Nature (5 answers total)

Um, Roman doors had knobs.
posted by jmgorman at 12:34 PM on December 11, 2005

What jmgorman said. I don't think anyone invented the door knob. He probably invented the "Dorsey Door Knob" which is some sort of variation on a standard door knob.
posted by fire&wings at 12:37 PM on December 11, 2005

He didn't invent it, but he was granted a patent for improving the doorknob. Googling for "Osbourn Dorsey" should give you some more resources.
posted by Gator at 12:48 PM on December 11, 2005

Response by poster: Well, yes, the modern doorknob, of course. Osbourn is his first name! Good.
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 12:56 PM on December 11, 2005

Oh pun the door
posted by hortense at 1:53 PM on December 11, 2005