The History of
LOCKS and LOCKSMITHING
Museum
Curator:
Brian Morland
curator@morlands.demon.co.uk
The History of |
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The History and Development of the Lock and Key. The lock and key to most people is a mysterious object, we put all our trust and faith into it when we lock the front door or lock up the safe. Even though we religiously follow this ritual, often many times each day, few are fully aware of what mechanical forces have been activated, but we have fulfilled a very fundamental psychological need. We go about our daily routines in the knowledge that our homes and possessions are safe. We have performed the ritual of locking up. Archaeology is gaining in popularity. TV programs and films, like, on the one hand Time Team and on the other Indiana Jones have done much to capture the imagination and inspire. In the field of Industrial Archaeology or Industrial History, Locks and Keys are no less worthy of attention. In fact its sometimes said that the craft of the locksmith is the second oldest profession! Certainly mans possessions have always been coveted and therefore the need to keep them secure has been a necessity from the earliest times. The study of locks and keys is a specialised sector of Industrial Archaeology. Not only does it look at the various ways in which a mechanical device achieves its aim but also says something about the basic need on the one hand to protect and secure property and possessions, but it also reminds us of another, darker, aspect of the human instinct. These fascinating aspects are what these virtual Lock Museum pages are all about and will hopefully bring some of the mysterious objects of the locksmiths' art alive. To this end the project not only attempts to gather and display the beautiful and ingenious items of metalwork but also books, manuscripts, catalogues, and other printed matter on the subject. We all know the analogy of a grain of sand doesn't make a beach... but hopefully with enough snippets of information a more complete picture can be built, understood and enjoyed. We especially acknowledge and thank the many individuals that have helped and contributed. Please feel free to make contact via the e-mail links provided with enquiries, or if you can, add, correct or comment in any way. Brian Morland brian@morlands.demon.co.uk A note about copyright. This project represents considerable time and effort, please therefore respect our work. Permission is given to download for personal, non-commercial use only - no permission is given for commercial use of either the text or pictures. If you like what you see here then please link to our site. |  1749 - 1814 Patentee of a locking principal that didn't rely on fixed wards or complicated shapes.  1797 - 1857 Developed and miniaturised the ancient wooden Egyptian peglock into the now familiar "Yale" lock.  A C Hobbs 1812 - 1891 sparked a flurry of ingenious lock improvements in the middle of the 19th century. |
Most people will be aware of the Ceremony of The Keys which takes place at the Tower of London each evening. We are looking for your knowledge on why some people sleep with an iron key under the pillow or under the bed. Or the reason that strips of cloth are padlocked to shrines and other places. The ark, coffer or chest as the receptacle of sacred knowledge, treasures, legends and secrets. What is known of the ceremonies and rituals where the lock or key is prominent? | There are two main focuses to our museum library project. Firstly we are trying to bring together as comprehensive a collection as possible of books, early manufactures catalogues and related ephemera. Secondly, we are gradually publishing various papers or small booklets. Already published is the excellent Hobbs work by Mike Fincher, and a work on George Price written by Pat Tempest is nearing completion. Pat is the great, grand daughter of George Price. Other works are also in the pipeline. If you can help in any way, either with items for the library or by writing a few pargraphs or recording an aspect of your knowledge, no matter how trivial it may seem, please contact us. |
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