When I first started at LockNet, I was new to the industry and if you had asked me anything about the history of locks, I would have looked at you, crinkled up my nose and said, “I dunno… I guess someone didn’t want something stolen so they figured out a way to make that not happen.”
I get very similar looks when I tell people I write about doors and locks for a living.
“What on earth is there to talk about?”
“How do you have more than one blog post?”
“Isn’t there only so much you can say about doors and locks?”
Oooooh boy. Little do they know.
Writing about doors and locks is akin to opening Pandora’s Box, but only more of a security version and less the evil, world ruining Pandora kind.
Lately, I’ve seen lots of articles explaining the history of locks and security in general, so being the excellent messenger that I am, I’m passing it on to you.
Locks & Links: The History of Locks Edition
The History of Security
After we all marvel at the awesome design of the history of science website, we can move on to the content. While at first glance, it might seem like pretty basic information, if you look closer, they pack quite a bit into the graphics and illustrations.
Starting all the way back to cavemen and their clubs used to scare away predators, this little slice of the web gives you the lowdown on all of the major forms of security the world has used since the beginning.
In 1851, a Man Picked Two Locks and Security was Changed Forever
Have you ever heard of “perfect security?” I didn’t realize that such a term existed until I started working at LockNet.
What I definitely didn’t know was that there was an actual specific moment in time when the world of doors and locks was changed forever—the moment when “perfect security” no longer existed.
This article about the man who picked two locks goes into the details of how all of that happened, leaving the world to chase after this elusive concept.
The Evolution of the Lock
Ancient Egyptian Pin Tumblers? Latchstring locks? Living locks?
Let’s just say, we’ve come a loooong way in the evolution of our locks and that is not a bad thing.
Imagine if, before you left the house for the night, you had to say, “Oh honey, don’t forget to set the alligators free! Wouldn’t want our flat screen stolen!”
While it sounds cool in theory, I imagine the clean-up would be a bit of a pain.
The Evolution of the Lock digs into several locks humans have tried out throughout the years so you’ll want to check that out for a fun read.
Do you have some interesting door or lock information for me? Are you kind of excited by the idea of having a moat of alligators surrounding your house? (I won’t judge you.) Let us know!