The Familiarity of the Lock May Have you Taking it For Granted
Many people have said that familiarity causes us to take certain parts of life for granted. This is a true statement, especially when you consider the lock. How many of us actually even think about the locks we use each and every day and the many intricate working pieces that are built to work with exact precision and dependability? In many cases, the only time a lock’s functionality is thought about is when it fails to perform properly and we must contact Texan Lock and Key to repair or replace the lock. There are many interesting facts about locks to consider when contemplating on how far the locks we have today have come from their humble and historic beginnings.
Locks are Thousands of Years Old
Locks are not devices that were invented in this past century, their creation dates back to Egypt more than 4000 years ago. The lock that was discovered in Egypt was a forerunner to a pin tumbler type of lock and worked using a large bolt that was made out of wood to secure a door, which had a slot with several holes in its upper surface. These holes were filled with wooden pegs that prevented the bolt from being opened. It is amazing to think that over 4000 years ago, this simple form of lock is still being used today.
Sailors used Knotted Ropes as a Type of Lock
People are always looking for ways to secure their personal belongings and valuables. Before locks were available to everyone, this was sometimes difficult to do. Sailors used a clever way to secure their personal belongings without using any type of lock. Sailors would use rope to secure their valuables, by tying a complicated and thought out knot to keep their belongings safe. Knots like the thief knot or the Gordian knot allowed sailors to keep their valuables safely locked up and also detect if their knot or rope had been tampered with. This was a great way to keep belongings secure before latching a deadbolt onto a foot locker.
Who Invented the Combination Lock?
Today we use combination locks often; school lockers, property gates, bank vaults and other places can be found using the typical combination lock. An American named James Sargent invented the very first combination lock, which could have its key combination changed post manufacturing. Mr. Sargent developed the first combination lock in the year 1857. His design is used in many variations of combination locks today.
