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Fun and Interesting Facts About Locks, Locksmiths & Locksmithing

Locksmithing is an ancient profession that is vital to society. The industry is ever evolving as new technologies are developed, so both professionals and hobbyists continue to learn throughout their lives.

Locks and keys have been around for millennia, so it’s no surprise that there is always something new to learn about locksmithing. The following facts are divided into a few categories: famous locksmiths, the history of locksmithing, the industry today, and fun facts.

Facts About Famous Locksmiths

1) An Egyptian pharaoh was behind the development of locks in ancient times.

egyptian locks — Pharaoh Khafre is remembered not only for his building of the second pyramid and the Great Sphinx, but also for helping develop some of Egypt’s first locks.

The ancient Egyptians are credited with creating some of humankind’s first functional locks and keys. While little is known about his specific role in the development of Egypt’s locks, the Pharaoh Khafre is thought to have played a role in their invention.

The pharaoh is most famous for the building of the second pyramid, and for being the face of the Great Sphinx of Giza. But he may have also been one of history’s early locksmiths.

2) James Sargent created the 1st combination lock.

james sargent combination lock — The combination lock so familiar to us today was invented by James Sargent in the mid 19th century. Sh4rp_i / CC BY-SA

The combination lock is one of the most widely used locks today. From school lockers to bank vaults, this lock is known and used by many.

The lock’s origins date back to 1857, when James Sargent created the first version. He was one of many inventors to patent new locks during the 19th century. This was a time of innovation and industry, and new technologies allowed for the manufacture of more secure locks.

3) Harry Houdini was a trained locksmith.

houdini locksmith — Harry Houdini used his locksmithing knowledge to make some of the most daring escapes of his time. McManus-Young Collection, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

It makes sense that one of the greatest escape artists in history would understand the intricacies of how to pick a lock. After immigrating to the United States as a child, Harry Houdini found work with a local locksmith.

He used his locksmithing know-how to make some of the most incredible escapes of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Houdini was fascinated by locks and collected them throughout his life.

4) Albert Einstein could have been a locksmith.

einstein locksmithing — If Albert Einstein hadn’t pursued physics, he would have become a locksmith. oneredsf1 / CC BY-SA

Albert Einstein is famous for his brilliant mind and contributions to physics, but he once said he would have a been a locksmith if he knew that the profession was an option.

While he never got to work with physical locks and keys, Einstein is considered “the locksmith of the mysteries of the atom and the universe.”

5) Walter Schlage was the “Lock Wizard of Thuringia.”

Walk into any hardware store today and you will likely see the name Schlage on most locks and keys. Walter Schlage’s company is the most well known name in the industry in the United States.

Schlage founded his lock manufacturing company in 1920 and was the inventor of the cylindrical pin tumbler. He was born in Germany and his locksmithing skills earned him the title of “Lock Wizard of Thuringia.”

Facts About Locksmithing History

1) Ancient Chinese locksmiths were inspired by animals.

chinese animals — Animals were commonly depicted in art and incorporated into the design of functional items like locks. Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Chinese artists throughout history often incorporated animals into their paintings and illustrations. Locksmiths were also inspired by the natural world when creating locks for their wealthy clients.

Ancient Chinese locks were often made in the shapes of animals. Because only elites owned locks and keys, they wanted them to be beautiful works of art that showcased their wealth. Locksmiths created functional items that would look beautiful when securing valuables.

2) Ancient Roman locks were inspired by Egypt.

roman keys — Ancient Roman keys and locks had much in common with those of Egypt. Dan DiffendaleE / CC BY-SA

Ancient Egyptians were master locksmiths of their time, and the ancient Romans were inspired by Egyptian designs when crafting their own locks and keys.

Most examples of Roman locks and keys are very similar to those of Egypt. They featured the same general construction, but used different materials. Romans preferred to use iron for their locks and bronze for their keys, while Egyptians made locks out of wood.

3) Roman women were oftentimes the keepers of keys.

roman women keys — Ancient Roman women wore their keys as fashionable accessories. Daiju Azuma / CC BY-SA

While ancient Roman locksmiths were likely men, women took up the role of keeper of the keys. Wives took care of their family’s keys as they worked around the household.

Women commonly wore keys by attaching them to large rings were worn at the waist. Keys could also be attached to hair pins.

4) Keys were a status symbol of Viking wives.

viking women keys — Viking women were keepers of keys after marriage. Hans Splinter / CC BY-SA

Like ancient Roman women, Viking women also became the keepers of their family’s keys upon marriage. A Viking wife might carry keys at her waist or in a pouch or bag.

Women showed their power and status within their community by wearing their husband’s keys. This custom was so important to Viking wives that many excavated graves contain keys.

5) Metal locks are thought to originate from the Early Middle Ages.

medieval locks — Iron locks were created by the English in the Early Middle Ages.

After the fall of the Roman empire, the knowledge of how to make metal locks and keys was lost for centuries. It wasn’t until around 870-900 AD that English locksmiths began creating locks and keys from metal again.

6) In colonial times, locks were for specific possessions only.

colonial lock — Colonial era locks like this one were mainly used to secure specific possessions, not entire buildings. Sharon Flowers / CC BY-SA

Today, we lock our houses, cars, garages, and businesses. In colonial America, locks were mainly used for specific possessions rather than entire buildings.

A farmer would lock up some valuable equipment rather than his whole barn, while families kept valuables in locked chests and boxes. Locking homes and businesses would become more common as the population of towns and cities grew and locks became easier to purchase.

7) Early American locks were all made elsewhere.

colonial locks — Early America relied on imported locks from Europe due to a lack of manufacturing capabilities.

Early American settlers relied on European locks and keys because of a lack of resources. Because of this, locks would have been relatively rare, and only used as described above.

By the end of the 18th century, locks and keys would be developed in America and the locksmithing industry would see a boom in production and innovation.

8) Locks were not mass produced in America until the mid 19th century.

american lock and key — The 19th century saw the mass production of locks in America. Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Locksmithing was a traditional craft until the dawn of the Industrial Revolution. It wasn’t until the 1840s that locks and keys began to be mass produced in factories across America.

Once an item painstakingly made by hand, the lock was now made by the thousands for a lower price, making locks accessible to more people than ever before.

9) Lock patents experienced a dramatic rise in popularity.

As the Industrial Revolution took hold of America and countries across the European continent, thousands of lock patents were created by brilliant locksmiths and inventors.

Around 3,000 patents were created in America between 1774 and 1920.

Fun Facts About Locksmithing

1) A parrot in England is one of the world’s famous avian locksmiths.

parrot locksmith — A parrot in England used his locksmithing know-how to escape his cage.

The most famous avian locksmith in the world is an English parrot. In 2014, the bird escaped from his cage and the car in which he was being transported.

The parrot managed to pick the two locks on his cage and somehow escaped from the car as well.

2) Keys can be made from several types of metal.

key materials — Keys can be made from several materials.

We use keys every day, but we do not often consider what materials they are made from. Modern keys can be crafted from nickel, brass, or steel. Keys that are not to be duplicated are often made from die-cast pot metal.

3) The Tower of London has its own Ceremony of the Keys.

Tower of London Ceremony of the Keys — The famous Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London has taken place every day since the 14th century.

One of the oldest traditions important to British culture is the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London. Each night at 9:52 pm, the guards of the Tower perform the Ceremony in front of an audience.

The guards exchange a few words with each other and lock the Tower. The Escort of the Keys then takes the keys to the Queen’s residence.

The Ceremony of the Keys is such an important tradition that it has been performed every night since the 14th century and has never been cancelled. It was postponed only once, during World War II.

4) A Russian locksmith has mastered the art of miniature locksmithing.

mini locks — A Russian locksmith makes locks so small they are nearly invisible to the naked eye! Michael Kappel / CC BY-SA

While not entirely practical, a locksmith in Russia dedicates much of his time to crafting tiny locks and keys. Pavel Kulikov creates locks and keys so small that they can pass through the eye of a needle, and some can barely be seen by the naked eye!

5) There is a museum of locks and their history in Midtown Manhattan.

manhattan locks — Amidst the hustle and bustle of Midtown Manhattan, you can find a collection of historical locks and keys. popejon2 from Paddington, Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you are fascinated by the history of locks and keys, consider visiting the Jon M. Mossman Lock Collection in Midtown Manhattan. The museum is one of the world’s largest collections of locks open to the public.

The collection includes over 370 locks from ancient Egypt and China to the modern day.

6) Locks are a symbol of love for people around the world.

paris locks — Locks on the Pont des Arts bridge from lovers around the world. Jorge Láscar / CC BY-SA

The Pont des Arts bridge was once covered in hundreds of thousands of locks placed there by lovers from around the world. The many shapes and sizes of locks decorated the bridge, but they also threatened the bridge’s structural integrity.

The city of Paris began removing the locks in 2015 to save the bridge.

Facts About the Locksmithing Industry Today

1) A good locksmith will try to repair your locks.

This may sound obvious, but not all locksmiths provide the same level of service. Unskilled locksmiths will oftentimes choose to simply drill and replace a broken lock instead of attempting to repair it.

You know you have hired a good locksmith if he or she first tries to fix your lock and only drills and replaces as a last resort.

2) Buying a safe requires some careful consideration.

If you are in the market for a quality safe, there are a few factors you should consider.

Know the size of safe you will need. Safes are measured in cubic feet.

Consider fire and flood protection. A good safe will have waterproof seals and will withstand a fire.

Make sure that the steel content of the safe is sufficient. More layers of steel will offer greater strength. The type of welding used on the safe also determines its strength. Continuous welding provides more security than spot welding.

3) Deadbolts should be installed professionally.

Locksmiths can properly replace and install deadbolts so they are safe and functional. lizzardo / CC BY-SA

While you may be tempted to replace a deadbolt yourself, this job should be saved for the experts. Deadbolts can be useless if installed incorrectly, but a professional locksmith will be able to install a deadbolt in a way that makes it more secure.