Game Changer: A Brief History of Lock Picking

The history of lock picking has a peculiar story because it is one of those things that only developed after a particular device was created. There was a very short period in time (about 70 years) when the lock was a perfectly safe device to help store your belongings.

In this article, we will be discussing just that.

The conception of locksmithing

Locksmithing did not begin until the 1770s with the inventor Joseph Bramah. Braham was an English polymath engineer. He applied his knowledge toward improving locks.

He created a lock that was far superior to the locks that were available during his time. It had layers of complexity between the key and the deadbolt which made him believe that it was completely safe from thieves.

He was so confident that he put up a contest to see who can open the locks. And true enough, many people tried to crack Bramah’s challenge lock, but no one could get it open.

Getting Noticed

Bramah’s lock and contest got wind and were soon the talk of the town. Even the British crown took notice.

It was no sooner they asked for some improvement for the lock. They wanted it to be indestructible and needed to alert someone if anyone tried to open it aside from the other key.

This is where Jeremiah Chubb came into the picture. He met the challenge with his Chubb detector lock.

What made the Chubb lock stand out is the security mechanism. If the lock picker tried to lift one of the tumblers, it would trigger a latching mechanism that will cause the lock to freeze.

When it was seized, it would be impossible to open it with a different key and rotate it in a different way to reset the tumblers.

As newer and better locks were being invented, the public took more notice of these devices.

The Tide Turns

For many years, the lock design of Bramah and Chubb was hailed as the best security for houses and along came the Lock Controversy in 1851.

London was hosting the first international exhibition of manufactured products in the Great Exhibition. An American locksmith named A.C. Hobbs was attending.

This guy is the guy who showed bank managers that their locks could be easily picked and convinced them to buy his locks.

He was selling his locks in the exhibition and publicly announced that he would pick the Chubb detector lock and said that they were just picking it incorrectly.

He proceeded to pick the Chubb by picking it until it seized up and then try to pick it the other way so that he can see how it works.

It took him roughly around 25 minutes to pick the Chubb lock.

Then he was off to the main event: the Bramah lock.

While not physically present then since Joseph Bramah has already passed and has given the shop to his sons, his spirit lived on in the lock he invented.

It took Hobbs about 14 days to finally opened the Bramah safety lock.

And just like that, lock picking has made its mark in the history of locking and security.

Lock industry today

That has sparked many innovations including the pin and tumbler lock invented by Linus Yale Jr. This is the same Yale that provides the most common mass-produced locks nowadays.

There is also much innovation that makes locks for lockers more secure like the NS1000. It is a smart lock for lockers that has future-ready features.

Now, our locker locks are offered at unbeatable rates. Contact us for more information on how we can help you and your budget.

Want to upgrade your locker facilities security? If you want to know more about electronic locks for lockers, make sure to check out the features of the NS1000. This innovative product will not only help your business to grow, but it will also add a level of sophistication that your future clients will surely love.