Category: History

History of locksmiths

4/12/2021

The definition of locksmith is a person who designs, makes and repairs locks. The majority of us have had the need to employ someone with these skills at one point or another, during our sometimes forgetful life. But have you ever stopped to wonder where this trade originated from?

The word Locksmith comes from Old English meaning “one who works with metal”, but it has been around for 4000 years, originating in Babylon and Ancient Egypt. The first locks were large, crude, and made of wood. They consisted of pin tumblers that could only be moved using a large wooden key that would be in the shape of a modern toothbrush. Moving forward to 200 A.D., the Romans evolved on the idea of the Egyptian locks, by using metal pin tumbler locks. These locks were often skillfully constructed, with keys that were usually made of bronze and iron, and sometimes made of precious metals. These Roman locks were eventually made so small, that they could provide keys that could be worn as rings on the lock owner’s fingers. This not only ensured the loss of their keys, but wealthy Romans had the added benefit of showing off their status and wealth to others, as wearing a key ring showed that they had valuables to protect. The Romans are also credited with the invention of the portable padlock with a U-shaped bolt, which is also believed to be independently developed by the Chinese.

In 18th century Europe, the design of locks changed. With the aid of advanced metallurgy locksmiths were able to create much more durable locks and keys. Improving on the designs, the locksmith focus was on making locks more elaborate, which developed locksmithing into a skilled trade. While these medieval locks focused on lavish embellishments, they were lacking on actually being secure from skilled thieves that could easily pick and open these locks.

Improvements on locks continued in 1778 with the invention of a double-acting tumbler lock providing much needed advancement in lock security. Six years later, a safety lock that was patented by Joseph Bramah, was so secure that it was unpickable for nearly 67 years.

Today, locksmiths continue this lock designing tradition into the modern world. Often using the same principle of pin tumbler locks, while also utilizing new technologies of program chip keys and remotes. Continuing to design locks to keep you safe.

Sources:
“History of Locksmithing” HistoryofKeys.com
“History of Locks” LifestyleLounge.com
“An Ancient Profession: The History of Locksmithing” HistoryCooperative.org

Interesting Lock & Key Facts

12/5/2020

How often does a person grab their keys in a month? How about in a week, maybe even in a day? It’s crazy to consider how many times we’ve dug through our pockets or bags to find a key that locks our possessions up safely, but we do it every day. This small action was once something only the wealthiest of people could afford, and is something we take for granted in our daily lives. When we take a moment to think about it, how much do we really even know about a lock or a key? Here are some of the most fascinating facts we could find about both:

In medieval times, villages would assign one individual in town to be the key keeper, of every key in town. This person was responsible for guarding the property of the entire town, as well as allowing everyone in and out of their homes!
Egyptians created some of the first pin locks. They created wood and pin mechanisms to prevent entry to private dwellings nearly 4,000 years ago. These massive locks often required grown humans to open, so they surely felt their belongings were secure!
The first duplicate key machine was created in 1917 using a wheel and blank sheet of metal to trace the cuttings of the original key. Before this, each key was made unique! You either had to duplicate it by hand or if lost the lock required a skeleton key to open.
Ancient China added their own unique touch to padlocks, and would fashion theirs to be in the shapes of animals. As in most early societies, only the most prestigious of families had access to locks, and the fanciest were reserved for the families commanding the utmost respect.
Viking women viewed their keys as symbols of their social status. Married women were the keepers of the keys, and would often adorn their dresses with the family keys as badges of honor. The more keys you had, the more responsibility you held and respect you commanded.
In the 19th century, the rich would purchase “story locks.” These rare locks would have detailed pictures inscribed on either side of the lock. They were again reserved for wealthy families, and collectors struggle to find intact lock and key sets today.
Japanese puzzle boxes were created in the Hakone, Japan, and were originally called Himitsu-bako. These boxes were designed to hold small trinkets and needles to protect them from nosy children. They evolved to hold toys, and some large boxes even held swords or tools. These boxes can only be opened if the right sequence of moves is performed, and a true himitsu-bako will not reveal its contents until it has been unlocked.

Locks are unique in the way that they all protect something different for each of us. The complex locks you can purchase for a fraction of the cost of centuries past are representations of genius ideas that came from early generations of humans. It is always interesting to look back and see how far we have come, even just from something as small as the locks we use to protect our private lives. The tools we use to do it have changed, but the concept remains the same! What interesting lock and key facts do you have to share?

History of locksmiths

Interesting Lock & Key Facts

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