HOW THE FASCINATING WORLD OF OUR SECURITY TOOLS HAVE TRANSFORMED OVER TIME – LOCKS AND KEYS
The security and access of residential and commercial property have long been one of the most important aspects of human society, with the invention of keys and lock enabling them to control and manage access to their property and belongings.
Locks and keys have changed over thousands of years they’ve been around, also being an integral part of today’s people’s daily lives.
Now, people use locks on front doors, cars, safe boxes, mailboxes, and so where they keep their valuable assets, documents, and so many important things, secured. Below, I’m going to discuss the history of locks and keys and some important facts about them.
The Ancient Era of Locks and Keys
The history of locks and keys goes back to hundreds of years, reaching the very first moments when human civilization established their region and evolved afterward when then started developing science and technologies, which enabled birth and growth of our modern way of life.
The first model of lock was a wooden lock that was created using wood and other natural materials, which offered small manners of protection against theft or intrusion.
This lock was a wooden pin lock and early predecessor of the pin-tumbler lock where pins are lifted out of using a key allowing the lock to move and open.
The wooden lock originated from Ancient Egypt that helped to safeguard doors and also helping eliminate the need for stationed guards at doorways.
THE DARK AND MIDDLE AGE OF LOCKSMITH
Although the Roman Empire fell within a few hundred years, the warded locks remained the standard for locksmithing for the next thousands of years.
Regardless of this, this lock was easy to pick and most of the dark and middle ages featured locksmiths complicating and making this lock more difficult to open for burglars and lock picks.
Some Fun Facts About Locks in History
- The oldest lock invented was more than 4000 years old and they were made by Egyptians.
- In Egyptian society, keys were a symbol of health, because few people could afford safe or locking doors.
- One of the basic lock designs of that time was the lever made of metalwork with a bolt and this design dates back to the Roman Empire.
- The warded lock is another lock option that places an obstruction in a pattern, with the key created to work around the obstructions.
- Robert Barron discovered the double-acting tumbler lock in 1778. In this lock, a stump on the tumbler passes through the bolt for opening the lock.
- James Sargent was the discoverer of the first combination lock that could have its key combination after manufacturing. His creation, first developed in 1857, still underpins the expertise of many time-lock mechanisms in modern bank vaults.
THE PREDECESSOR OF THE MODERN LOCK AND KEY
As the 19th century brought a wide range of developments and iteration on locks and keys, a pin tumbler lock was an adaption of the very first locks.
It used a key with ridges of several heights for aligning a set of key pins correctly to allow for the barrel of lock to turn.
The mechanism of this lock was improved by Linus Yale and after that the pins of varying length within the lock along with serrated edges on a smaller flat key.
Yale locks are still used today all across the world, with the fairly simple locking mechanism providing robust security while also being easy to service and change.
However, some of the mechanical locks have been made using magnetic keys; and most of the locks used today are variations on the Barron, Brahma, and Yale locks.
As you can see, there is a rich and interesting history associated with lock and keys, and a professional locksmith enjoys playing a part in that important tradition by serving reliable locksmith services.
They also provide expert advice to give tips on securing residential and commercial properties.
FAQs:
What is the history of locks and keys?
Locks and keys date back over 4,000 years to Ancient Egypt, where wooden pin locks were first used. They evolved over time, with advancements like the warded lock and the pin tumbler lock.
How have locks and keys evolved over time?
Locks and keys have evolved from simple wooden mechanisms in Ancient Egypt to advanced pin tumbler locks, with significant developments in the 19th century, such as the Yale lock, still in use today.
Who invented the double-acting tumbler lock?
Robert Barron invented the double-acting tumbler lock in 1778. This lock design improved security by having a stump on the tumbler that passed through the bolt to allow opening.
What is a pin tumbler lock?
The pin tumbler lock, developed in the 19th century, uses a key with ridges of varying heights to align key pins, allowing the lock barrel to turn. It’s still widely used today.
What role do locksmiths play in the history of locks?
Locksmiths have played a crucial role in refining and improving locks and keys throughout history. They continue to offer expert services, providing security for residential and commercial properties with modern lock systems.
