A Brief History of Locksmiths and Locksmithing
In the modern world, an ordinary lock is probably taken for granted because we find it anywhere we go and locks have become part of the normal world as ordinary as can be. However, the lowly lock is the key (no pun intended) to a thriving group of artisans known is history as the locksmiths.
The lock is actually as simple mechanism meant to secure and keep under “lock and key” buildings, rooms, cabinets, objects, or other storage facilities. A key is needed to open a lock. Aside from a key, modern locks now utilize a security token key or two-factor authentication for better security. Examples of these are the use of combinations or keycards.
The earliest known use of a lock was way back 4,000 years ago and was in Egypt. The earliest use of a key-based lock was around 704 B;s modern locks.
Because a “smith” is any person who shapes metal pieces by forging or moulding into useful objects or be a part of a more complex structure, thus, a locksmith is the person who assembles, designs locks, and designs and manufactures the respective keys. Therefore, locksmithing is the science or art of making and defeating locks.
Historically, locksmiths originally made entire locks and the keys. They would spend hours working on cutting screws and doing much filing of metal. Today, cheap mass production has rendered this work obsolete but, locksmiths continue to be artisans and engineers in the true sense because locksmithing expertise is more than needed now to install, maintain, or repair more sophisticated types of locks. Aside from this, locksmiths are also trained to conduct locksmithing for safes, strongboxes, and large vaults.
Modern technology also means the locksmith is now called upon to replace lost keys, whether for residential, commercial, or vehicular in origin. They are also called upon to install more complicated lock-sets for security, and install high quality keying and key control systems. There is also the work needed for electronic lock servicing, such as transponder-equipped vehicles, and the implementation of access control systems.
