From the dawn of times, people have tried to find ways to protect their prized possessions from the hands of thieves. Rich Ancient Romans used to keep their money stored in several temples at once, for safety reasons, as they felt anyone could steal from a temple or that fire could physically damage their belongings and they didn't want to lose everything at once. Their primary security solutions were, therefore, strongly related to logistics and had nothing to do with the use of locks, keys or vaults. Later on, the focus shifted on the use of simplistic rope knots and the purpose of determining whether someone had attempted to open them.
Fast-forward, locks made of wood and metal were manufactured for the first time and, despite they were huge in size, people started using them across all nations. While modern historians are still unable to state for a fact whether the Greeks, the Egyptians or the Romans were the first to first manufacture a mechanical lock, one thing is certain: this innovation forever changed the way security was regarded.
The very first mechanical locks were invented and used more than six millennia ago in Ancient Egypt. It was an Egyptian locksmith who created a very simplistic, yet efficient pioneer version of today's pin tumbler lock as we all know and use it on our doors at home. The lock was made of wood and it featured a wooden post that was connected to a door, together with a horizontal bolt that was placed into the post. The bolt also featured a number of openings that were filled with pins. The key was particularly large and it weighed a lot. It had the shape of a toothbrush and its pegs matched the pins and the holes located inside. Homeowners had to place the key into the opening and lift it, thus triggering the pins to move and cause the security bolt to start moving.
It was not until the first millennia BC when locks started to include more advanced technologies and be manufactured with the help of more versatile designs. This occurred when the Greeks and the Romans started to use their creativity and advanced knowledge. The locks that were manufactured by the Greeks were considered not very safe. However, they were the main starting point that inspired the Romans to create better versions. They started using metal instead of wood and the Roman iron locks provided enhanced protection against forceful break-in attempts. The keys were now smaller and homeowners were able to carry them inside their pockets, as pendants or as part of a ring. This was also about the time when wards started to be built, and this helped ensure the fact that only the right key ensuring could push the matching pins prior to the lock starting to rotate.
Unfortunately, the fall of Roman Empire during the first century AD also lead to a stop in lock innovation. The Middle Ages did not help European locksmiths to use any special technologies to or design new ways of protecting one's assets. However, they did bring a small contribution to today's locks, as, instead of having just one lock to use, they manufactured multiple-keyed mechanisms that made the overall designs more complex and difficult to pick. They focused more on finding new ways of keeping the keyholes protected using all types of ornaments and even designed fake keyholes to deter thieves and intruders.
During the 8th century, smaller and sturdier key mechanisms were invented and Rjoseph Bramah was the one who invented the world-famous Bramah lock that couldn't be picked by anyone for almost seven decades. Robert Barronin was the one who invented the double tumbler lock in 1778. Jeremiah Chubb created a special detector lock that featured an internal security mechanism while Linus Yale created the pin tumbler lock. James Sargent was responsible for designing and manufacturing the first combination lock in 1857, while Harry Soref is the name we should all remember in relation to the first pioneer padlock.
Most of the locks you can buy and use today are a version of each of these old locks and clever inventions of the smart engineers and locksmiths.
When it comes to the first car locks, you should know that the first motor carriages did not have any locks on them. People could not protect their prized possessions against theft until cars started to be built with roofs, doors that could be locked and windows.
In the 1900s, drivers were still having trouble learning how to start their cars, as it required a 10-step process that only drivers who went through proper training were familiar with. In other words, worrying about someone stealing a car was not a real problem. This left theft deterrents at the end of the list of priorities for vehicle manufacturers. Later on, once ignition switches that could rotate started to be used, they ensured protection against theft attempts, as long as the switches could be locked.
It was not until 1911 that the Bosch car manufacturer started to manufacture ignition switches that used a key. Drivers needed to stick a key into an ignition switch and turn it ON or else the ignition knobs could not be turned. This moment marks the start of car theft deterrent systems that have grown and evolved ever since, leading to today's keyless options. You can now use your smartphone to control a keyless lock for higher security and enhanced protection.
As one of the oldest professions on the planet, locksmithing is believed to have started in Babylon over four millennia ago. As time went by and more advances were made in the manufacturing of locks and keys, locksmiths started to become more popular and earn their respect and reputation.
Locksmiths turned into skilled workers of metal and during the 14th-17th centuries, there was an impressive rise in terms of locksmith achievements. The handymen created exquisite locks with intricate designs for nobility members and they also, during the 18th century, they started creating sturdier locks.
Once the industrial mass production of locks was initiated, the role of the trade changed and locksmiths started to specialize, learn how to fix industrial locks or copy keys and design bespoke safes for banking institutions. Today, locksmiths are also important security experts and consultants whose knowledge and know-how can be put to use for generating the most efficient security systems for residential, automotive and commercial customers.
Find our offered services, info articles or prices in the box below.
Just start typing what you are looking for, it's that simple.
