Sixteen years ago this week, iDigHardware was born.  Unlike my other babies, who arrived on the scene after 9 or 10 months, I only spent about 2 months thinking about starting a blog about codes before I launched the site (my “4th baby”).  The idea probably came to me during the 2008 holiday period when I had a little time to think and plan for the upcoming year.

I was clinging on by my fingernails at that point in my life.  I had three very rowdy kids who were 7, 4, and 2, and I had created a monster at work.  I had been connecting with my local architects in New England by teaching them about codes; during almost every presentation someone would grow pale with the realization that they had done something wrong on a past project.  I was there to take the hardware specifications off their hands and avoid future problems, but I couldn’t keep up with the constant flow of questions.

So iDigHardware was born out of (my) desperation to help with the need for information, and to try to dig me out of the hole I had created.  And no, the site was not called I “dig” hardware for that reason, but maybe it was a subconscious thought when I later changed the name.  The original name of the site was iHateHardware.com – yes, hard to believe that my managers would let me run with that, but I guess we had a similar sense of humor.  Since most architects hate hardware, and they were my target audience, it seemed like a good idea at the time.

We had absolutely no idea that this site would become an important resource for the industry and beyond, or that it would live on for so long.  My “Man Behind the Curtain” who immediately fixes any problems that arise, calls the site his “Old Lady” because blogs do not typically have a 16th birthday.  Google tells me that the average lifespan of a blog post is two years, so it always surprises me when I move a 15-year-old article and people immediately start asking me what happened to it.

We’re headed toward a new milestone of 4,000 posts on the site, and I don’t think I’ll ever run out of things to write about.  I’m starting to add more guest posts, including those written by my coworker, Mark Kuhn, who brings a great feet-on-the-street perspective.  I have also had requests for news about new products and changes, so you’ll be seeing more of those.  I’m developing an online guide to replace the original PDF/hard copy guide that we have all known and loved for more than 20 years.  It’s a big project so have patience, but it will be available sometime this year.  We’ll also be adding some new training and other resources.  I’m always open to ideas, so let me know what you want to see more of!

It’s absolutely crazy to think about how little most people knew about the door-related code requirements 16 years ago, vs. how much is familiar to us now.  One of things I’m most proud of is the number of changes to the model codes and standards that have been made by the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA), Codes, Government, and Industry Affairs (CGIA) Committee.  I consider this one of the most impactful parts of my job, as I can help to address not only emerging threats and new technologies, but problem areas that lead to misinterpretations of the codes in the field.

Another thing I’m very proud of is YOU – the community that has formed around the site.  I’m always amazed that people are willing to share their insight and expertise publicly; there are currently about 26,000 comments, adding useful info to the posts.  Not everything is black and white, there are still some grey areas, so it’s always helpful to learn from others’ experiences.  I wish I had been able to learn from this enormous community when I was first getting started in the industry back in the 80’s.

So thank you to all of the readers – the subscribers who click the link as soon as a notification email hits their inbox, and those who visit on occasion, when they need help with a specific question.  To the ACEs (Allegion Code Experts) who help answer code questions locally – I definitely couldn’t do it without you.  To the architects, specifiers, end users, security professionals, code officials, and others who use information from iDigHardware to help keep building occupants safe – you’re doing important work.  And especially to Allegion – thank you for continuing to offer this free resource to all.

Many thanks to everyone, and onward to YEAR 17!

– Lori

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