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Ancient Egypt Locks and Safes
The oldest know lock was fount in the 1800’s, during archaeological digging in the ruins of Emperor Sargon ll’s palace in the Khorsabad, Persia. The ancient Egyptian lock was dated to be about 4000 years old. It relied on the same pin tumbler principle that is used by many of today’s most popular locks.
The Egyptian lock consisted of three large basic parts : A wood crossbeam, a vertical beam with tumblers, and large wood key. The crossbeam ran horizontally across the inside of the door and was held in place by two vertically mounted wooden staples. Part of the length of the crossbeam was hollowed out, and the vertical beam intersected it along that hollowed out side
The vertical beam contained metal tumbler that locked the two pieces of wood together. Near the tumbler edge of the door there was a hole accessible from outside the door that was large enough for someone to insert the key and an Arm. The spoon shaped key was about 14 inches to 2 feed long with pegs sticking out of one end. After the key was inserted in the keyhole (Or Armhole), it was pushed into the hollowed out part of the crossbeam until its pegs were aligned with their corresponding tumblers. The right key allowed all the tumblers to be lifted into a position between the crossbeam and vertical beam so that the pins no longer obstructed movement of the crossbeam. Them the crossbeam (bolt) could be pulled into the open position.
Ancient Greece Locks and Locksmiths
Most early Greek doors pivoted at the center and were secured with rope tied in intricate knots, The cleverly tied knots, along with beliefs about being cursed for tampering with them, provided some security. When more security was needed, doors were secured by bolts from the inside. In the few cases where locks were used, they were primitive and easy to defeat. The Greek locks used a notched bolt work and were operated by inserting the blade of an iron sickle-shaped key, about a foot long, in a key slot and twisting it 180 degrees to work the bolt.
They could be defeated just by trying a few different – size keys. In about 800 B.C.E the Greek poet Homer described that Greek Lock in one of his poems.
Ancient Romans Locks and Locksmiths
Almost independently and like the Greeks, the Romans used notched bolt-work locks. But the Romans have improved the lock design in many ways, such as by putting the bolt work in the Iron case and using keys of the iron or bronze. Because iron rusts and corrodes, few early Roman locks are in existence and there is very few evidence in the Archeological world. But, not like the locks themselves, there is lot of keys around. The Romans were very creative and often the keys were ornately designed to be worn as jewelry, either as finger rings or as necklaces using sting (Because togas did not have pockets).
Two of the most important innovations of the Romans Locks were the spring-loaded bolt and the use of Wards on the case. The extensive commerce during the time of Julius Caesar led to a great demand for locks among the many wealthy merchant and politicians. The type of lock used by the Romans, the warded bi-key lock, is still being used today in many older homes. Because the lock provide so little security, typically its found on interior doors, such as closets and sometimes bedrooms. The Romans are sometimes credited with inventing the padlock, but that’s controversial. There is evidence that the Chinese many have independently invented it way before or about the same time.
The fall of Rome in the fifth century, caused sharp drop in the demand for locks, because of the fact that people had little property to protect. The few locks used during the period were specially ordered for nobility and the handful of wealthy merchants.
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