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. Archeology 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 Archeology, 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 pages are all about and will hopefully bring some of these 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 especialy 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. |
A project to trace the origins of lockmaking in the UK. Locks were probably first brought to Britain by the Romans around 64 AD. | 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? | Its the books, manufacturers trade catalogues, brochures and flyers, early newspaper and journal articles, and letters that bring the locks alive. Where possible the contents of our box files will be placed in our on-line library. We are constantly and actively endeavouring to gather as much material as possible. If you can help in any way, no matter how trivial it may seem, please contact us. |
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