A Journey Through the Evolution of Locks
Locks originated in the great Assyrian kingdom of Mesopotamia.
The journey of lock evolution mirrors the progression of human civilization. The earliest locks date back to ancient Mesopotamia. Over time, lock designs have changed to meet growing security demands.
Please keep reading to learn about the incredible journey of lock development.
Where it all began
Locks originated in the great Assyrian kingdom of Mesopotamia. The mechanism was a pin tumbler tool that used wooden pins of varying lengths to secure it in place. A unique key had to be inserted into the casing to unlock it. It worked by pushing the wooden pins and forcing them to realign and detach the bolt, opening the tumbler tool.
The Egyptian upgrade
Egyptians further developed the mechanism. The new Egyptian locks adopted brass pins instead of wood. The early Mesopotamian keys were too heavy and large due to the wood. But this slight modification by the Egyptians had impressive results. Early trading helped spread the locks to Ancient Rome.
When Rome got a hold of the unique lock
Roman locksmiths built upon the expertise of Ancient Mesopotamians and Egyptians. They replaced the wood with malleable metals. This made the locks stronger, which enhanced security. They also invented smaller-sized locks suited for chests and drawers. This lock evolution was accompanied by the development of wards by the Egyptians. This helped to personalize locks.
Buglers try to get clever
Plagues and geopolitical upheaval across the European continent characterized the medieval period. The need for enhanced security grew as a result of scarcity. Thieves would search for the key shape of a warded lock and file the notches to create a master key. To combat lock picking, locksmiths built more complex locks.
Locksmiths show off their prowess
The first patented Safety Lock was developed in 1784. The designer, Joseph Bramah, dared people to try and pick it. This resulted in a nationwide lock competition, which Jeremiah Chubb won in 1817. The two locksmiths were much admired until the two locks were picked by Alfred Hobbs in 1851. An upgrade was now due.
A new era in lock evolution
Locksmithing became an industry in the 19th century due to the industrial revolution. Linus Yale (Senior and Junior) created custom-made bank locks and the famous Yale Lock. They developed the first keyless combination lock known as the Monitor Bank Lock. James Sargent enhanced the idea, and he created the first timed lock.
Locks keep getting smarter
The Bramah, Sargent, and Yale lock designs were the most common on the market. But the locksmith industry mainly relied on physical keys. This ended in 1975 when Tor Sornes developed and patented the first electronic keycard lock.
The smart lock evolution continues
Brands like August and GATE have carved a niche in today’s locksmith era. The latest trends include easy integration with mobile devices to motion-activated cameras. Therefore, the future will be bright for the locksmith industry.
National Lock & Key is a licensed, insured, full-service commercial and residential locksmith serving Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. Contact us at (571) 351-1012.
