The Evolution of Hand Dryers: From Manual to Touchless

Hand dryers have come a long way since their humble beginnings. From the early days of clunky push-button models to today’s sleek, sensor-activated machines, the journey of hand drying technology reflects broader trends in hygiene, sustainability, and design. Here, we take a look at how hand dryers have evolved and why modern, touchless solutions are now the gold standard in washroom hygiene.

The early years: push-button models

The first electric hand dryers was patented in 1948. These first units, often activated by a manual push-button, were a step up from paper towels in terms of cost-effectiveness and environmental impact. However, they were slow to dry, noisy, and required users to make contact with the device which isn’t ideal in terms of hygiene.

We wrote an article about that first hand dryer, which you can see here. 

Models like these served their purpose at the time, but they left a lot to be desired in today’s world where speed, efficiency, and touch-free operation are expected.

The shift towards automatic dryers

As public awareness of hygiene increased, especially in healthcare, food service, and educational settings, demand grew for more hygienic alternatives. This led to the development of automatic hand dryers, which used infrared sensors to detect hands and activate airflow without the need for contact.

Products like the Dryflow Jetforce Junior represent this generation. With its slimline profile and quiet operation, it’s an ideal choice for noise-sensitive environments like libraries or offices. It’s also fully automatic, helping reduce cross-contamination risk in busy washrooms.

Enter high-speed drying

Speed became the next frontier. Traditional warm-air dryers took anywhere from 30 to 45 seconds to dry hands which is too slow for high-traffic settings. Slow drying hands creates two main scenarios:

1. The toilet becomes congested with people waiting for the hand dryer, which can seriously affect user experience, especially in restaurant settings.
2. People simply don’t dry their hands. Which is the worst possible option in terms of hygiene. 

The arrival of high-speed jet dryers changed that, cutting drying times down to as little as 10 seconds. 

The Dyson Airblade V HU02, is a perfect example. It uses powerful sheets of air to scrape water from the hands, rather than evaporate it. This not only speeds up the drying process but also reduces energy usage, making it more eco-friendly and cost-efficient. You can see our range of high-speed hand dryers here.

The rise of touchless design

The ideal bathroom of the future is a completely touchless affair, and with modern technology we’re getting closer all the time. Touchless hand dryers are now a standard requirement for many commercial and public buildings. These units help prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses by eliminating all points of contact. Added to this touchless flushing, and contactless soap dispensers and taps, in some instances the only thing you’re touching is the doors in and out. 

The Mitsubishi Jet Towel Slim is one such model that combines high-speed drying with hygienic, hands-free operation. It also features anti-bacterial surfaces and water collection, making it a smart choice for high-standards environments like hospitals or restaurants.

Sustainable and energy-efficient innovation

Modern hand dryers are not just about hygiene, they’re also designed with sustainability in mind. Energy-efficient motors, low carbon footprints, and long lifespans all contribute to greener operations.

Take the Dryflow® EcoSlim, for instance. It’s compact, powerful and runs at a low wattage without sacrificing performance. It’s a popular choice for businesses looking to reduce their environmental impact without compromising on quality.

The evolution of hand dryers reflects the changing needs of our society. From manual push-button models to sleek, sensor-driven units, today’s hand dryers are smarter, faster, and cleaner. Whether you're fitting out a new build or upgrading an outdated facility, switching to a modern, touchless hand dryer is a clear step forward – for hygiene, for users, and for the planet.