10 Interesting Facts You Didn’t Know About Locks

Available information about locks is kept under the table; perhaps that’s the reason people fail to appreciate their role in keeping us protected. Here, we have elaborated on some of the important facts about locks not being popular in both online and print media.

Locks’ Invention Dates Back Thousands of Years Ago

From available records, the oldest lock known to humans was invented about 4,000 years back. The discovery was accredited to a cave in ancient Egypt. As history may have it, carved ancient locks with hardwood.

Keys Were a Symbol of Wealth and Influence

Early Roman locks were the possession of the rich. During the Roman Empire, wives of influential people were keepers of the locks. The keys were often made of bronze and worn by those women. However, there was a difference between the Egyptian and Roman versions of the locks. While the Romans used iron, Egyptians made their locks with wood.

The Heaviest Lock Weighs 415 Kg

According to the Guinness World Records, in 2003, a lock weighing about a staggering 415 kg was found at a Russian Arts College. No lock can compare to the size and height of this one.

Linus Yale Jr invented the Pin Tumbler Lock

A creative American mechanical engineer, he co-founded Yale Lock manufacturing with Henry R. Towne. The lock is designed with different lengths of pins to avoid picking or manipulations.

The Invention of the Lever

This is a basic design of lock which also is the foundational concept for the advanced locks adorning our entryways today. It was developed in the ancient Roman Empire but later improved by Gothic architecture. The lever is made of metal that forms the bolt.

Tumbler Lock Invented by Robert Barron

The double-acting tumbler lock was invented in 1778 by the renowned English locksmith called Robert Baron. Though the design was basic, there has been lots of improvement since the invention.

The Skeleton Key is not for Everyday Use

This is not a scary key type as portrayed by Hollywood scriptwriters. It is a kind of master key used for single cylinder or tumbler locks. The serrated edge is removed to enable the key open as many locks as possible.

Key Keepers in the Medieval Era

The key keepers in the Middle Ages and the renaissance were a privilege belonging to affluence. The key rings and chains were handled by wives of the wealthy. Then the control shifted to the castle chaplain or stewards.

Lock Picking is a Rigorous Process

Disregard movie stars trying to convince their viewers that picking locks with bobby pins is an easy process. The fact is that there are tricks and techniques for picking single-cylinder and tumbler locks. However, the process takes more time than what is depicted in the movies.

Parrots Can Pick a Lock!

Sounds ridiculous right? But the fact remains that in November 2014, a parrot in a bid to escape picked a lock. The bird successfully escaped from both the cage and the car.

Bonus tip   

Only Locksmiths Should Handle Your Security System.

Yes, a technically savvy person can install or repair locks. However, to have peace of mind that your security is intact, it is good to allow locksmiths to handle your lock installation, repair, rekeying, and programming. Locksmiths are trained to handle all types of locks. They can also identify vulnerabilities in your security system and advice you accordingly. If you need lock-related services, call the professionals at Top Atlanta Locksmith.