The earliest known lock and key device was discovered in the ruins of Nineveh, which is now know as modern day Northern Iraq. Locks such as this were later developed into the Egyptian wooden pin lock; which consisted of a bolt, door fixture, and key. When the key was inserted, pins within the fixture were lifted out of drilled holes within the bolt, allowing it to move. When the key was removed, the pins fell part-way into the bolt, preventing movement. These basic locks were used to secure store rooms and entrances to an insula; which is now is referred to as an apartment.
Since then, a number of famous lock smiths have made their mark on the lock industry. Some technology dates back to 1778 and hasn’t really required improvement. Here’s a list of the most famous locksmiths:
- 1778, Robert Barron – double-acting tumbler lock
The first remarkable improvement in security - 1818, Jeremiah Chubb – detector lock
It won him the reward offered by the Government for a lock that could not be opened by any but its own key - 1848, Linus Yale Sr. – pin tumbler lock
- 1862, Linus Yale Jr. – improved upon his father’s lock, using a smaller, flat key with serrated edges that is the basis of modern pin-tumbler locks
- 1926, William F Banham – invented the first automatic latch bolt lock in 1926 after a series of burglaries on his wife’s dress shop. He opened up his own locksmith shop on Oxford Street, London, and offered £25 to anyone who could pick or break one of his patented locks
What’s happening today?
Largely based on technology founded by the above locksmiths, 3 point security locks are very much in vogue. A vast majority of modern apartment lets and new blocks have these locks. At London Exec Apartments we’ve been using security locks and keys at our Wembley serviced apartments. We have our keys cut by Wembley Lock and Key; who are security key stockists.