Interesting Lock & Key Facts

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?