For thousands of years we have been putting our faith in locks to keep us and our belongings safe, and these are by far one of the simplest and most effective security solutions available. Here we take a quick look back at the fascinating history and evolution of these unsung heroes.
Locks have been around for much longer than you might think; around 4,000 years in fact, and the earliest known example of a lock and key was discovered in 612 BC, in the ruins of the ancient city of Nineveh.
Locks were commonly used by ancient civilisations such as the Egyptians, who developed a wooden pin lock, consisting of a wooden post secured to a door, and a horizontal bolt that fitted into this. This bolt also had a series of pins that could be lifted using a key to allow the bolt to move and unlock the door. Another ancient civilisation to make use of lock technologies was the Romans, who kept their valuables safe in secured boxes, wearing the keys to these as rings on their fingers. These rings also acted as a form of status symbol demonstrating their wealth and power.
Over the following centuries lock designs evolved significantly as their mechanisms became increasingly more intricate. However it was not until the arrival of the 18th century industrial revolution that locks really came into their own. During this period, thanks to the development of more advanced engineering technologies and manufacturing methods, it was possible to produce locks on a larger scale than ever before, and these were also increasingly sophisticated.
This period also witnessed a new wave of lock innovations. For example in 1778, the inventor Robert Barrons patented the lever tumbler lock. This type of lock will only yield if its tumbler is lifted out of its slot to exactly the right height, and is still in use today. Barrons design was later perfect by Jeremiah Chubb who incorporated a spring into the locks design that added an extra layer of security against potential lockpickers. The 19th century also witnessed a number of developments in the lock market, for example in 1848 Linus Yale patented the famous Yale lock.
Interestingly whilst there have been a number of new lock innovations since these early years, many of today’s locks designs are still based on the original designs created by the likes of Chubb and Yale.
Today locks are more advanced than ever before, and are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and designs. Here at AFS Security we are expert locksmiths and are able to assist you with all aspect of your security needs. So if you’re looking for a locksmith in Essex please do not hesitate to contact us and a member of our friendly team will be happy to help you with your enquiries.
