Garage door openers was invented by C.G. Johnson in 1926 in Hartford City, Indiana. And have been available since the 1950s, but they've really only been widely used for the last 20 or 30 years. Garage door openers have changed so much over the years, becoming so convenient and capable it is difficult for many folks to imagine living without them. One of the most important ways garage door openers have advanced over the years is in noise reduction. There was a time when the room above the garage was a no-sleep zone. Garage door openers were so noisy and clunky they disrupted everything around them. The latest units, highlighted in many belt drive and chain drive opener reviews, are smooth operators - practically silent - and very easy to install and use.