Theophilus Van Kannel life and biography

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 invented and owned Witching Waves, an amusement ride introduced at Luna Park, Coney Island, in 1907.

Van Kannel died in New York City of heart failure and was buried in West Park Cemetery, Cleveland, Ohio.

He was awarded the John Scott Medal of The Franklin Institute in 1889.

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