About C.G. Johnson & Overhead Door Corporation

At the turn of the twentieth century, car owners realized they needed a new outbuilding dedicated to storing their cars alone. Traditional barn or carriage house doors opened toward the outside like standard doors. This method was problematic, as the doors were heavy or were blocked by impediments like snow, debris, or grass. It was also precarious as the hinges would easily wear and break. The doors would need a large space that needed to be kept clear of obstructions and was severely lacking in security.

Keenly aware of these shortcomings, CG Johnson and Overhead Door Corporation revolutionized the way people stored their cars forever by inventing away the doors would lift to become parallel with the roof of the garage.

At the time of his endeavor, architects were hailing the invention of this ‘new kind of outbuilding’ and calling it a garage; a word derived from the French word garer, which means to shelter or protect. The door was made with hinged panels that could bend as the door lifted, and this was a vast improvement over the old carriage house doors.

In 1921

In 1921, Johnson partnered with Owen Dautrick to start the Dautrick-Johnson Manufacturing Company which would later become Overhead Door Corporation. Together they began producing the first “upward-lifting garage door”.

Johnson later worked with attorney Forest Mckee of Hartford City, Indiana to start the company’s first plant in Detroit. It was a 1,000-sq.ft. building with a production capacity of one door per day.

After acquiring a patent for the automatic opener, C.G. Johnson and his wife spent the next few years touring the country with a miniature garage door mounted on the back of a Model T Ford truck, signing up dealers.

The Original Garage Door Factory:

In 1923, while stopped at an Indiana trade show, a local enthusiast was impressed by the garage door and offered Johnson a factory site. Johnson agreed, and in 1924, the factory moved to Hartford City, Indiana, with a new plant of 200,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space, allowing mass production of garage doors.

Three years later, Johnson recruited Herbert Cady Blodgett, who had just invented the first electric garage door opener in Hartford City, Indiana. Together, they began producing the modern garage door system as Overhead Door Company of Hartford City.

These inventions grew into a business and a brand that has stood the test of time. While the company has evolved and grown for over 100 years, the Red Ribbon is still known for its quality, service, and integrity.

Today:

Overhead Door continues to be one of the industry’s most recognized and respected brands. It offers everything from commercial and industrial overhead doors and access systems to a complete line of residential garage doors and openers.

Overhead Door products are manufactured for durable, long-lasting performance for years of extended use and trouble-free operation. Each product, from residential to industrial to commercial applications, is backed by knowledgeable and professional customer support for troubleshooting and answers to your questions.

Overhead Door™ Garage Doors and Openers Deliver Superior Performance, Style & Reliability!