The Von Duprin Story
Von Duprin was started in 1908, when it introduced the first "panic release bar" in response to a need for protecting life safety while providing security, a purpose that still guides the firm today. Indianapolis hardware salesman Carl Prinzler missed a scheduled visit to Chicago's Iroquois Theatre in 1903, thus escaping a disaster in which 594 people perished when the "fireproof" theater burned. Obsessed with the needless loss of lives, Prinzler was determined to solve the problem of public buildings that often turned into death traps when doors were locked to keep gate crashers out. Prinzler teamed up with his neighbor, Henry DuPont, an architectural engineer, who invented the first working device. The initial model, introduced in 1908, was marketed by Vonnegut Hardware Company under the name Von Duprin, a contraction of Vonnegut, DuPont and Prinzler.
The popular 88 Series crossbar exit device, still manufactured by Von Duprin, have similar appearance characteristics to the original design, although significant engineering changes have been made.
Currently, Von Duprin manufactures the widest range of exit devices and outside trim operations, including rim-type and mortise lock, surface and concealed vertical rod, fire-rated and several electrical options. Security-related products include a full line of electromagnetic locks, electric strikes, card readers, and keypad-type access control systems.
Over the years,
Von Duprin has been an innovator in many new concepts to the industry. 
These include the latch track threshold, drop forged center case,
concealed vertical rod device, reversible exit device, narrow stile
device, extruded aluminum mullion and wood door concealed device, all
designed to meet the needs of architects and building owners.
The most innovative change took place in 1972, when the company introduced the first pushpad exit device, the series 33. One benefit of the new pushpad design was its ability to be electrified. Shortly after the 33 Series was introduced, the EL electric latch retraction version exit device was developed. Within the next few years, Von Duprin introduced the wide-stile pushpad 99 Series, which has become the most popular and versatile exit device on the market.
©2006 Foster Brothers Security Systems