(1874 – 1946)
German-born American Inventor, Engineer, and Entrepreneur
Walter Reinhold Schlage was a German-born American inventor whose creativity and determination transformed the way people perceive security and convenience in everyday life. Born in 1874 in Thuringia, Germany, Schlage grew up in a culture that valued precision craftsmanship, technical skill, and innovation. From an early age, he demonstrated a natural talent for engineering, traits that guided his entire career and made a lasting impact on homes and businesses worldwide.
At the turn of the 20th century, Schlage immigrated to the United States, joining many other German Americans seeking opportunities in a rapidly growing country. He first settled in San Francisco, where his technical skills quickly earned him a position at Western Electric. There, he worked as an engineer and, in 1909, filed his first patent for a groundbreaking device that combined a door lock with the ability to control electric lighting. This innovative idea, ahead of its time by decades, foreshadowed what we now call “smart home” technology and demonstrated his talent for combining mechanics with emerging electrical systems.
Encouraged by his success, Schlage went out on his own. In 1920, he established the Schlage Lock Company in a small workshop in San Francisco. It was there that he perfected his most well-known invention: the cylindrical push-button lock. Simple yet innovative, elegant yet secure, this lock design changed the industry. It was easy to use, highly reliable, and quickly became standard. Schlage believed that great engineering should blend function with style, and his locks reflected that philosophy, providing both security and visual appeal.
Under his leadership, the Schlage Lock Company grew steadily from a small workshop into a nationally recognized manufacturer, respected for its durability and trustworthiness. By the time Schlage passed away in 1946, his company had already become a cornerstone of the American security industry. In the decades that followed, the brand expanded across the United States and around the world, maintaining its reputation for quality and innovation in line with its founder’s vision.
Today, over a century after its founding, Schlage remains one of the world’s leading providers of locks and security systems. Every product bearing the Schlage name reflects Walter R. Schlage’s inventive spirit, his relentless drive for improvement, and his firm belief that engineering can make everyday life safer and more convenient. His induction into the German- American Hall of Fame honors not only his technical brilliance but also the lasting contributions of German immigrants to the growth, security, and progress of American life.