History of Locksmiths

A locksmith is someone who provides lock and key services but where the term “locksmith” comes from?
Like the term “blacksmith” which means someone who forges metal, a locksmith is someone who makes locks and keys out of metal.

Ancient History of Locksmiths

The craft of the locksmith has been around for thousands of years and its origin is in Ancient Egypt and Babylon about 4,000 years ago. Back then locks were pretty much simple and mostly made out of wood with wood or tin tumblers inside. 

Keys were also made of wood but they were much bigger. These wooden locks worked in a very simple way and when you pushed or turned the wooden key inside the lock the tumblers inside would move and it opened the door.

The Evolution of Locks

From the beginning of the 18th century, forged metal locks and keys were greatly improved throughout Europe. They became stronger and in a better quality. They were created to be more secure and the key design also became more complex to provide better capabilities. 

Common people had started to build up wealth and property and needed locksmith services more often. And they also asked locksmiths to The need to create new locks that were even more difficult to open was increasing.

Evolution of the Locksmith

Locksmith as a profession began to develop right at the same time as the development of technology during the industrial revolution. Locks became cheaper and easier to make and more people could buy and install them without needing the help of locksmiths. 

Yet with that being said locksmiths had to adapt and while some started to install and repair industrial locks others focused on making copies of keys. While the real experts went into making safes for banks and governments but over time becoming a locksmith went from being a skilled craft to just a regular job for many.