Since the beginning of time, humans have made an effort to protect their belongings; keeping them safe from becoming damaged or stolen. Not always was a safe or lock and key available to keep such occurrences from happening. The oldest lock and key ever discovered was found in Egypt, dating back about four thousand years. It was found in an ancient Egyptian palace and although it was a simple design, it was able to perform its purpose successfully. The type of lock is now known as a pin tumbler or lever lock. This Egyptian lock consisted of a wooden bolt securing a door with a slot that had several holes on its upper surface. The key to the lock had the appearance of a large wooden toothbrush that had wooden bristles that matched the holes and pins in the lock.
Early Lock Pickers
While the style of this lock and key did not change for years, the attributes of keys and key holes were changed to try to confuse lock pickers. Lock pickers began to easily pick these early locks with a simple tool, making it almost impossible for people to keep their belongings safe. So keys were made much more intricately and detailed, making it more difficult for the lock picker to pick the lock. Key holes were disguised and made complicated to find for lock pickers as well. Rather than changing the simple design of the lock, keys and key holes were changed instead.
Double Acting Tumbler Lock
Later on in history, the lock was redesigned to be more effective and make it even more difficult to lock pickers to break in and steal belongings. In the year 1778 Robert Barron patented the double acting tumbler lock. This design allows the tumbler to fall into a slot in the bolt which will yield only if the tumbler is lifted out of the slot to exactly the right height. Because the design was a double tumbler, the Barron Lock had two levers which both had to be lifted to a different specific height before the bolt could be withdrawn. This sent lock pickers back to the drawing board for quite some time before being able to successfully pick a lock like this.
Professional Locksmith, Lock & Key Services in Killeen, Austin, San Antonio, Round Rock & San Marcos TX
Today locks and keys are not only used to keep personal belongings safe, but almost everything; including storefronts, safe deposit boxes, automobiles and practically everything we want to keep from being broken into or taken from us. While the lock and key are effective in keeping most criminals at bay, there are the few who if they want it badly enough, will just blow the door off of a safe. For the most excellent locksmith service available, contact Texan Lock and Key.
