Who was the first to think about the security of his home? Did the theft of personal property lead to the invention of the first lock? Next, we discuss the importance of how the locks were made.
People secured their places according to the available facilities, and with the remarkable development of technology, new locks replaced the old ones.
Today, locks are made mechanically and electronically, each of which works in different ways; Mechanical locks are closed using a metal object such as a key, but electronic locks work with fingerprints, cards and security codes in addition to keys, each of which is highly secure in its own way.
The security of the locks should be such that the mechanism works with only one key and only allows people to access the master key.
Where did the history of old locks begin?
The history of locks reaches more than 6000 years ago when an old lock was discovered as the first example in the ruins of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. This lock works in such a way that when the key is inserted, the pins in the lock come out of the holes and allow it to move, and when the key is removed, the pins return to their place and do not allow it to move.
Assyrian lock
Padlocks that existed since ancient times are used in a new way in the modern western world, it is also said that the key was invented by Theodorus in the 6th century BC.
Wealthy Romans often kept their valuables in locked boxes and wore the key as a ring on their fingers, this practice had two benefits:
The key was always with them.
It showed that he is a rich person.
Gothic lock definition and mechanism
There is a particular type of old lock that dates back to the 17th to 18th century, although potentially older than similar locks from the 14th century, this type of lock was found in the city of Leer, Belgium, known as a Gothic lock. The leaf is decorated in a V shape around the keyhole.
Gothic lock
Lock made by Robert Barron
A type of lever lock works in 2 stages, this lock was invented by Robert Barron in 1778 and has a lever inside the lock tab, which in the first stage moves each roller by a certain amount when the key is entered, and in the second stage causes Release the latch to lock.
This innovation was unique in the history of the old lock so that the new lever locks also follow this system.
Lock made by Jeremiah Chubb
The lever lock was greatly developed by Jeremiah Chubb in 1818; A robbery at Portsmouth harbor prompted the British government to announce a competition to produce a lock that could be opened only with its own key, after which Jeremiah developed his lock stick, which has an integrated security feature that can thwart unauthorized access attempts. slow Jeremiah Wood was awarded £100 after a trained locksmith failed to break the lock after 3 months.
In 1820 Jeremiah joined his brother Charles and started his own lock company called Chubb; Chubb made great improvements in the production of lever locks, and his improved design in 1824 did not require a special key to reset the lock, so that by 1847, his keys used six levers instead of four. Zaman introduced a disc that allowed the key to pass through and, by limiting visibility, hid the levers from anyone trying to pick the lock; The Chubb brothers also received a patent for the first anti-theft safe and began manufacturing it in 1835.
Jeremiah wood lock
lock made by Joseph Bramah
The mechanism of baron and wood locks was based on the use of movable levers, but Joseph Bramah invented a new lock to replace the lever locks in 1784, this type of lock used a cylindrical key with precise notches along the surface, these metal slides which prevented the screw from turning to an exact alignment allowing the lock to be opened by the movement of its key.
Joseph Bramah built this old lock to the best of his ability at the time and according to the inventors it was unpickable. In the same year Bramah started the Bramah Locks company and displayed the “lock challenge” in his shop window from 1790 and for the artist who could make a tool to open this lock, a reward of 200 pounds was considered, this challenge lasted more than 67 years until at the Great Exhibition of 1851, the American locksmith Alfred Charles Hobbs (Alfred Charles Hobbs) managed to lock after 51 hours of effort. and with the explanation about the conditions of opening this old lock, he was awarded the prize.
Challenge lock
Lock made by Linus Yale Jr.
The first patent for the pin lock was granted to the American doctor Abraham O. Stansbury in England in 1805, but the modern version that is still used today was created by the American Linus Yale Sr. Invented in 1848, this lock design used pins of varying lengths to prevent the lock from being opened without the correct key.
In 1861, Linus Yale Jr. was inspired by the original 1840 lock designed by his father, so he invented and patented a smaller flat key with serrated edges as well as pins of different lengths in the lock itself.
The Yale lock is basically a more developed version of the Egyptian lock is.
Introducing the Yale lock mechanism
Despite some improvements in key design since then, most locks today still follow some variation of the designs invented by Bramah, Chubb, and Yale.
A mortise lock uses a series of barriers or parts to prevent the lock from opening unless the correct key is inserted.
Keys have notches or slots that are made to fit the obstructions in the lock and allow it to turn freely inside the lock. Success unlocks a wide variety of protective locks.
Introducing the pin lock mechanism
A pin lock uses a set of pins to prevent the lock from being opened, which is opened with a specially made key; There are a series of grooves on either side of the key blade that limit the type of lock that the key can fit into.
As the key is inserted into the lock, horizontal grooves on the blade line up with parts in the way of the key, allowing the cylinder to enter or not, a series of serrations and sharp notches on the blade allow the pins to enter. allow them to move up and down to match the inner and outer cylinder cut lines and allow the cylinder or cam to rotate freely and unlock, an additional pin called a master pin between the key and driver pins It is present in locks that accept a master key to allow the plug to be turned at heights of several feet.
Pin lock
Introducing the magnetic lock mechanism
A magnetic lock is a locking mechanism whereby the key uses magnets as part of the locking and unlocking mechanism. A magnetic key uses one to several small magnets with the same north and south poles in combination to push or pull the lock’s internal cups, thereby releasing the lock.
Introducing the electronic lock mechanism
An electronic lock works using an electric current and is usually connected to an access control system. In addition to the pin and tumbler used in standard locks, electronic locks connect the bolt or cylinder to the motor inside the door using a part called an actuator.
Introducing the smart lock mechanism
A smart lock is an electromechanical lock that receives instructions for locking and unlocking the door from an authorized device using an encryption key and wireless protocol; Commonly used in residential areas, smart locks are often controlled by smartphones, smart locks are used in workspaces and offices to enable keyless entry into the office.
Due to the fact that installing and replacing keys is very important, locksmiths introduce the type of lock and equipment required by checking the security requirements of homes and offices and install the lock.
Key duplication methods for all types of locks
Traditional key cutting is the main method of key duplication. It is a subtractive process named for the cutting metalworking process, in which a flat key blank is milled to the shape of the (original) die key. The process roughly follows the following steps:
The master key is mounted to a clamp in a cutting machine, and the raw key is placed with a blank attached to a parallel clamp that is mechanically connected together.
The main key moves along a guide in a motion that follows the shape of the key while the blank plate moves in the same way against the cutting wheel by mechanical linkage, between the vices.
After cutting, the new key is removed by rubbing it with a metal brush to remove metal particles that can be dangerously sharp and locked.
Modern key cutting replaces the mechanical key with a process where the original key is electronically scanned and then processed and stored by special computer software, which is then used to drive the cutting wheel when the key is produced.
Different key cutting machines are more or less automatic and use different grinding or grinding equipment that follows the design of early 20th century key duplicators.
Key duplication is available in many locksmiths, and you can duplicate the desired key by having a key sample in your hand or, if it is electronic, by presenting the key code.
After the past, until now, they used locks for the security and protection of property, and with the passage of time, new locks replaced the old locks, so that today they use smart technology to make locks that are very secure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the electronic lock mechanism work?
An electronic lock works by using an electric current and is usually connected to an access control system. In addition to the pin and tumbler used in standard locks, electronic locks connect the bolt or cylinder to the motor inside the door using a part called an actuator.
What places are smart locks suitable for?
Commonly used in residential areas, smart locks are often controlled by smartphones, smart locks are used in workspaces and offices to enable keyless entry into the office.