Locks and keys play a main role in our lives when it comes to ensure the safety of our properties. Just think about how chaotic the could be if locks and keys didn’t exist! Lets explore together some of the interesting facts related to locks and keys that probably shock you.
Locksmithing is over 4,000 years old
Locksmithing is an ancient craft and has roots extending back to Ancient Egypt area. The oldest known lock is approximately 4,000 years old. The Ancient Egyptians have been using those locks to secure the Pharaohs treasure rooms.
Keys were a symbol of wealth in Ancient Egypt
In ancient societies like the Ancient Egyptians only a privileged few had the luxury of owning locks which were seen as a status symbol of wealth.
The world’s largest padlock
Pad locks come in many different sizes ranging from small to extra large but the biggest padlock that was ever created was in an art college in Russia and it holds a world record for the biggest padlock in the world. This massive lock with its key weighs about 415 kg and measures 144.3 cm tall, 105 cm wide, and 26 cm deep!
Mass production of locks began in 1840
Before the year 1840 locksmiths used to create locks and keys and it was a long and time consuming process but with the introduction of mass production methods it went a huge transformation.
The oldest known lock
Egyptian archaeologists found the oldest version of a lock in the ancient ruins of Nineveh. It was made out of wood and even though it was very simple in design it shows how early civilizations were clever enough to protect their assets.
