Our article will transport you back to the origins of one of the most popular and necessary service provider categories: the locksmith industry. We’ll dive into the early origins of locksmith techniques and first locks moving towards the modern era where professional locksmith services are delivered round the clock with cutting-edge technology tools by highly trained locksmiths at Cerrajero, a bilingual locksmith company for English- and Spanish-speaking customers in the US.
Introduction to Locksmith Techniques and Mission
Locks are the first and most essential tools to protect a property. Locks prevent burglars from violating your home or office. However, since crime doesn’t sleep standing up, the locksmith industry has been developing more effective lock ranges to compete with would-be burglars and their new techniques. Today, professional locksmiths can recommend to homeowners the most advanced high-tech-based lock systems to kick off any burglary threat and gain peace of mind, knowing that their properties are 100% safe and secured.
What does a locksmith do? A locksmith is a qualified worker in lock repair, replacement, and installation of new door systems. Some locksmiths are specialized in residential services, while others are experts in automotive services.
One of the most essential services of professional locksmiths is 247 assistance for emergencies, such as home or car lockouts, broken lock repairs, lost key duplications, car key reprogramming, and more. If you are struggling with a broken key or lock, a Cerrajero locksmith is there to help you.
Locksmithing Through History
You’ll certainly be surprised to know that locksmithing is an ancient industry that originated during the Egyptian era. Let’s start our journey through the amazing history of locksmithing in the world!
According to archeologists, locksmithing originated in Ancient Egypt and Babylon about 4,000 years ago. The first locks produced at that time were very tiny and easy to remove and transport. Also, the objective of these first locks was to protect goods from burglars while travelers were on their way. In our next paragraph, we’ll shed light on the different lock types in ancient periods.
Wooden Locks
It seems that the first locks were wooden. These primitive locks were also large, crude, and had a pin that could only move with a huge wooden key. That was the very beginning of the locksmith trade. The first evolution of the initial wooden locks happened in Ancient Roman times when wealthy Romans developed an iron-made system of locks and keys to protect their goods. These iron lock systems spread in the Mediterranean region from Rome to Athens.
Metal Locks
Although ancient civilizations in the Mediterranean area already used metal locks, the profession was established in Great Britain, where craftsmen began to work on metal locks during the Middle Ages. Their locks traveled to reach the Chinese Empire, as well.
The metal locks could be opened in several ways by either pushing, turning, or screwing the key inside the system. The surge for locks due to frequent incursions of burglars in the villages rooted the locksmith trade as a profession, which enhanced and encompassed creativity and technical skills. During the 14th and 17th centuries, locksmiths developed complex lock systems with artistic designs that gained the appreciation of the upper classes. Locksmith techniques continued evolving delivering more durable, safer, and effective locks in the 18th century.
High-Tech Locks
Although the typical design of locks remained unchanged for several decades, the appearance of industry in the 18th century demanded more advanced lock mechanisms. The world was evolving through industrialization and required locks to evolve as fast.
The first lever tumbler lock was invented by Robert Barron in 1778 and paved the way for the rise of advanced modern locks. Brothers Charles and Jeremiah created new locks that were more difficult to unlock for burglars than any other classic lock. The two brothers continued delivering locks with significant improvements, such as the six-lever locks that make it difficult for burglars to find the internal levers.
The advent of high-tech locks permitted a further step forward with the introduction of smart doors, fingerprint doors, and facial recognition systems. Today’s high-tech lock systems ensure homeowners an extra and unparalleled layer of security to keep them and their properties safe from intruders. The latest stages of the evolution of locksmithing have driven us to unprecedented levels of protection that combine multiple technologies, such as IoT and AI, to offer customers the most durable and custom-tailored lock systems for every property and needs. Locksmithing is an ever-evolving field that delivers improved locks at competitive prices for everyone.