Locksmiths Over The Years
Making and defeating locks is done by master craftsman called Locksmiths. Locksmiths deal directly with locks and keys.
There are three standard ways to maintain security. The more of these principles that are used in the lock design, the more secure it is.
These core principles are what you know, what you are or what you have. Three examples respectively would be a combination, a fingerprint and a key.
Tumbler pins are used in many locks today. Tumbler pins are located inside of the lock and are of different heights. When a key pushes all of the pins into the right position, the lock can be turned.
The first tumbler pin locks were discovered in the ruins of Emperor Sargon II’s Assyrian kingdom. These locks are over 4000 years old.
Locksmiths have improved over time, but most civilizations did not build upon each other. The Greek’s used a very simple bolt lock. The lock added some security but was very easy to circumvent.
The Romans also used bolt based locks. However, they used iron encasing and bronze and iron keys. Many of their key designs were more focused on style. Security for these locks left something to be desired.
Improvments in locks did not come for many years. The same basic core principle was used throughout the world until 1778.
Robert Barren developed a pin tumber lock that was heads and shoulders above other locks. All though, it could still be easily circumvented by one major flaw, it represented a shift in the thinking of locksmiths.
The flaw allowed for duplicate keys to be easily made by inserting a key into the keyhole with moldable wax on it. This gave a model for the replacement key to be made.
Joseph Bramah developed a technique for making the lock. It included uneven tumblers so the lock would not give away its secret to a mold.
The Locksmith industry was revolutionized when a young Jeremiah Chubb invented a lock that was thought to be unpickable. A world renown thief and locksmith was unable to pick the lock after three months time.
Locksmiths have made major advancements over the last century. However, many of the ideas were used in the past.
