A Brief History of The Garage
From Livestock Barn to the Motor House
The Garage is Born
Ever since the first automobile rolled off the assembly line in 1913, drivers have sought ways to shelter their prized investments. The modern garage has evolved from its earliest version when smart thinking new drivers upcycled their livestock barns into dry places to protect their brand-new automobiles. These simple sheds were bestowed the French word “garer,” meaning to shelter — or garage. By 1908, the word garage was part of the architect’s vernacular.
With the automobile’s availability and popularity, garages quickly became a “must-have” feature in homes across the country. In fact, by the mid 1920’s, a home without a garage was challenging to sell, a fact that remains true today.
The Garage Concept Evolves
The concept of a garage has remained relatively unchanged, save one or two adaptations. Since garages were technically converted from old barns, their doors swung open or slid to the sides on rollers. This door style required drivers to get out of their car. The overhead garage door, invented in 1921, was a space saver made even better by the invention of the electric door opener, just five years later.
