What do we really know about locksmiths? Besides like blacksmiths, that locksmithing is a profession that’s been around for a very long time. If you’ve ever locked yourself out of your house, lost your keys, or just had a very nasty live-in ex, you’ll know that your locksmith can be a lifesaver. No one wants to have to call a locksmith, but it’s handy to have Locksmith Fort Lauderdale on speed dial, just in case.
If you have a locksmith in your life, they may be especially interested in some facts surrounding their technical profession, which may seem boring to an outsider. Dip into this Locksmith trivia the next time your locksmith needs a break from the day-to-day grind.
- The most ancient locks were produced 4,000 years ago by the Egyptians.
- Early Roman locks were opened with keys. The locks were made of iron and the keys were made of bronze.
- Also in Ancient Rome, women were the bearers and keepers of keys. The keys were worn around their necks or pinned into their hair.
- Keys were a sign of great wealth in the early Roman period, and were often designed ornately with animal embellishments.
- Once the Renaissance period began, key design took direction from the very popular and fashionable gothic architecture of the time.
- The first combination lock was made in 1857 by James Sargent.
- Harry Houdini was a locksmith before becoming famous as a magician (no wonder).
- Locks weren’t traditionally used as a way to keep out intruders or secure the home, but as a tool to safeguard valuables. Safes were more popular than traditional lock and key or lever locks because of this practice.
- A New Yorker’s best friend, the deadbolt lock, should always be installed by a certified locksmith. If installed improperly, it won’t lock or protect properly.
- Lockpicking, a technique popular in heist movies and thrillers, actually has a dedicated community of followers online. Entire organizations, websites, magazines, and seminars center around lockpicking.
- Mass production of locks began in America in 1840.
- Speaking of lockpicking, it’s actually almost impossible to pick a lock with a bobby pin, as shown in most movies.
- There are new and technology advanced locks on the market now, biometric locks, and must use the owner’s fingerprint to unlock.
- Locks are varied by their security, and are classified according to a low to high security scale.
- King Louis XVI regularly forged locks and keys himself.
- Control locks, used in airports and retail stores to prevent shoplifting and other negative occurrences prevent customers and other people from leaving a building without authorization.
- The oldest key in existence was found in the ruins of the palace of Sargon of Akkad and dates back to 704 BC.
- Early America could not handle the large manufacturing power needed to mass produce locks, and most of these locks were imported China.
- When it comes to high-security situations and facilities, most locks are mounted on walls. This enables the use of sensors and alarms.
Share these 19 lock-facts with the locksmith in your life. Locks are a little more interesting than you think!
