All You Need to Know About the History of Locksmithing
The locksmithing trade is also considered an art as it revolves around the design and manufacturing of locks, together with various other forms of protective devices for residential, commercial, and automotive use. The history of locksmithing is long and rich and it dates back to the year 704BC, in a time when the first bulky locks made of wood were built by the first locksmiths that humankind has ever known.
Let us take a closer look at the fascinating locksmithing history, discover the locksmithing origin and find out who is the most important and popular locksmithing inventor the world has ever known.
Locksmithing Origins
Locksmithing is thought to find its origins in ancient Babylon and Egypt, some 4000 years ago when devices made from wood were built with the help of tin-tumblers. Their purpose was that of stopping the bars from moving and they used large keys that looked like today's toothbrush. The most antique locks are considered those found at the Assyrian empire's ruins nearby Nineveh and it is thought they have been built around the year 704 BC. Slowly, as the locksmithing profession started to shape itself, these tradesmen turned into skilled metal workers. During the 14th and the 17th centuries, locksmiths started to design and manufacture gorgeous designs with lots of details for members of royal families. These designs found their inspiration in noble symbols and crests. Locks as we know them today started to be designed and manufactured during the 18th century, once the metallurgic industry started to advance in Europe. This was also about the time when the first sturdy locks made of metal were manufactured. Lots of improvements were brought to them and there were also a series of lock designs found in the ruins of the Roman Empire. Once sturdier models started to be created, a genuine industrial lock revolution began. The industry gained a lot of popularity as more and more people were interested in protecting their prized possessions with the help of these new products. Automobile repairmen stared to handle the fine-tuning of broken components, while repurposing the parts they managed to manufacture reliable locks for residential and commercial uses.
The history of locksmithing has continued to add more pages to its book in the coming centuries, coming a very long way ever since the first locks were created. With the help of mechanical engineering, sturdier locking systems started being manufactured, culminating with the current advanced in terms of smart and digital lock mechanisms, the result of the numerous generations of locksmiths who have passed on their skills and knowledge. Probably the most famous locksmithing investor in history is Linus Yale who is responsible for the invention of the pin tumbler lock back in 1848. His son, Linus Yale took his father's design in 1861, and he created a smaller key, made it flat, and added serrated edges, which is the model that the current pin-tumbler is now based on. The modern combination lock was created by Yale in 1862.
Other Important Locksmithing Inventions Worth Mentioning
Joseph Bramah's most famous locksmithing invention is his lock, known as the Bramah lock, as well as the hydraulic press, with the lock being patented in 1784. The lock was thought to be impossible for 65 years. A.C. Hobbs managed to finally pick it at the end of 50 long hours. The first detector lock is also a notable locksmithing invention we are going to mention here. Jeremiah Chubb is the name of the famous locksmith inventor and it was in 1818 when he designed the lock with the purpose of making it unpenetrable and impossible to pick. He accomplished this and the lock was only picked in 1851. The Chubb detector lock jams locked when someone attempts to pick it or uses the incorrect key and it needs regulator keys or the right key to unlock. James Sargent is responsible for designing the pioneer key-changeable combo lock in 1857 and his model is still used today when designing and manufacturing modern-day bank vaults. The lock was highly appreciated by safe manufacturers as well as the US Treasury Department.
Locksmith Training and Courses
Locksmithing is a trade that mostly revolves around having the right skills and hands-on experience needed to complete a lock installation, lock repair, or key copying task. However, in some instances, when seeking employment with a highly reputable locksmithing company, for instance, a lock technician may be asked to own a high school diploma and also to have completed certain industry courses that have taught you how to cut a key, as well as the basics of how safe locks work, bit to upgrade or install mortice locks, special latches, multipoint locks, jammed lock picking, and so on.
Different US states have different requirements concerning the courses and type of training that a locksmith should have before being hired. Make sure you do your research and know what courses you could attend to perfect your skills, as some programs are a lot more detailed compared to others.
You will also need to focus on learning some mechanic skills at a basic level, so having the right outlook directed towards all things mechanical is a good start. Once you will become a certified locksmith, whether you will opt for being a Certified Registered Locksmith, a Certified Professional Locksmith, or a Certified Master Locksmith, you will become a lot more knowledgeable and also boost your reputation, attract more clients and obtain jobs with higher salaries a lot easier. To get these certifications, it is necessary to pass several mandatory categories, including the service of locksets, coding equipment, key copying, blank key identification, cylinder services, lock picking, and so on.
The Future Of Locksmithing
Locksmiths will continue to be a crucial part of the sea of trades out there. The fact that they can easily adapt to the emerging technology trends and offer advanced smart and electronic locks and security systems for enhanced security for goods and properties will keep making them a very important part of our lives in the future.