The use and development history of
turnstiles
turnstiles have become an essential item in modern commercial security systems. Such gates are installed in subway stations, amusement parks or stadiums. These gates are mainly used to prevent unauthorized entry and control public access in crowded places. Originally, however, turnstiles were designed for a different purpose.
Let's learn more about the history of turnstiles and how their application has evolved today.
history
The use of turnstiles dates back a thousand years. Originally, turnstiles were just fences, usually made of wood
It is believed that after a few trials and errors, an enterprising farmer came up with the concept of the turnstile. This design gave rise to the name "revolving door".
Early 20th Century
In the UK, Glasgow's original Hampden Park stadium is said to be the first public space ever to use turnstiles. Gates were also installed at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in 1915 to control summer crowds. Since then, more and more businesses and buildings have started using turnstiles to save money and time, and to increase safety.
Types of Turnstiles and Their Uses
Modern
turnstiles come in a variety of designs and offer a wide range of functions depending on their application. Below are the main types of turnstiles.
Optical gate
Optical turnstiles have no obtrusive entry barriers like arm or swing gates. They mainly use infrared sensors to detect if the person passing is authorized. Audio and visual interfaces such as alarms and security cameras identify intruders. Optical revolving doors are often used in aesthetically pleasing interiors. These are very expensive.
Turnstile
You can use the turnstile as a one-way or two-way access point. They are often used inside buildings because they are not as secure as full height
turnstiles. They are also aesthetically pleasing. You can find these in malls, malls, supermarkets, hotels, clubs and lounges.

Waist-high turnstiles
As the name suggests, these are waist-high barriers to entry for electrons. They are very cost-effective and are often found in public spaces such as stadiums, universities, retail establishments, theme parks and museums. The main objective of these turnstiles is to control the mass flow of people through an integrated ticketing, building pass and key card system.
Boom or tripod revolving door
A boom or tripod revolving door is a type of waist-high revolving door. They usually consist of three horizontal arms that rotate as people pass. However, drop arm turnstiles with one or two arms are also common. You can see these in bus terminals, subway stations, parks, stadiums, and museums. They are often used in conjunction with automatic coin and ticket acceptors or ticket inspection systems.
Full Height Turnstiles
The safest of all revolving doors, the full height revolving door looks and functions like a revolving door. It is suitable for high-security buildings and facilities such as embassies, government buildings, prisons, bank vaults, military bases, nuclear power plants, and warehouse distribution centers. Depending on the application, you can use one-way or two-way full-height turnstiles. You can operate these doors with card readers, infrared sensors and manually.
Turnstiles play a key role in making modern businesses and venues safer. These advanced access control systems have come a long way since they were first used in the first millennium. Today, you can choose from a wide variety of turnstiles from optical systems to full height fencing.