Total Door has a long history in the door and hardware industry. In the late 1950s, Leon and Christine Yulkowski entered the conventional door and hardware business as General Lock. After considerable research in the US and Europe, General Lock anticipated the needs of architects and end-users by manufacturing the first American mortise lock designed specifically for levers. General Lock’s design was so practical and so much better than any other mortise lock on the market that it became the standard; it remains in use to this day. Between 1958 and 1972 General Lock became the industry leader with patented lever mortise locks and high security cylinders. After a period of tremendous growth, General Lock was purchased by Schlage, now a part of Ingersol Rand, in 1972.