The padlock is one of those everyday objects we never really give much thought to until we lose the key or forget the combination. But let’s face it, we’d be utterly lost without them, since we’d be constantly worried about someone swiping our bikes, getting into our sheds, etc. 
I first became fascinated in padlocks when I was a kid on or farm in North West Tasmania in the 1960’s. I had a big old brass padlock (Locked and without a key) in amongst my collection of toys and other things. I loved handling it and as I turned it over in my hands wondered about its past use, and how wonderful it would be if I had the key and could put it to use again myself.
So, let’s take a look at the fascinating history of the padlock.
Obviously there was a time when there was no Padlock.
If we go back in time to ancient civilizations. People had their possessions like gold, cattle, and other things like treasure chests, but they didn’t have padlocks.
So what did they do when they wanted to keep things safe?
Trusting people not to steal their stuff did’nt work out well.
Imagine the ancient Egyptians, putting their belongings in their tombs and hoping for the best.
There was definitely a lot of theft in those days, so something had to change. Tomb robbers etc!
So along came the lock (and a Little Bit of Clunkiness)
Some clever person, probably sitting under a tree in some far off ancient land, thought, “What if we put some sort of mechanism on that door to make it harder to open?
Archeologists found the oldest known lock in the Khorsabad palace ruins near Nineveh. 
The lock was estimated to be 4,000 years old. It was a forerunner to a pin tumbler type of lock, and a common Egyptian lock for the time. This lock worked using a large wooden bolt to secure a door, which had a slot with several holes in its upper surface. The holes were filled with wooden pegs that prevented the bolt from being opened.. This lock was made of wood and consisted of a bolt that slid into a slot in the door frame. A wooden key with pegs that matched the slots in the bolt could move it out of the way, allowing the door to open. These were big, wooden contraptions. They were more like a jigsaw puzzle than a security system, but it was a start. 
In ancient Rome the locks became more complex. They used iron keys. Inside the locks were obstacles called wards that had to be navigated by the key. 
Due to the use of wards the locks were more secure and difficult to pick.
Affluent Romans often kept their valuables in secure boxes within their households and wore the keys as rings on their fingers.
These ‘warded locks’ remain the most recognizable lock and key design in the Western world.
The first all-metal locks appeared between the years 870 and 900, and are attributed to the English.
Fast forward to the Renaissance, a time when people were all about fancy art, elegant poetry, and making things look cool. So, naturally, padlocks became more intricate and stylish. They became works of art with intricate patterns. No longer was a padlock just for keeping your stuff safe, it was an accessory. 
Probably the most famous medieval lock was the Great Lock of Rouen. This lock was used on the main door of the Cathedral of Roen in France during the 14th Century. It was a complex lock with many bolts and numerous key variations which made it very difficult to pick or duplicate.
Padlocks were more common now, and were made from iron, bronze, and brass. They came in all shapes and sizes. 
You might even find the odd gold-plated one on a fancy chest, just in case someone decided they’d break into a wealthy person’s house and steal their treasures.
Padlocks were even used by lovers as a symbol of commitment! They would inscribe initials on the lock and then toss the key into a river, symbolizing that their love was “locked” forever.
During the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century, and things atarted getting more efficient, locks and padlock construction improved and there was the mass production of steel locks.
The iconic “master” padlock was born, which meant there was a key that opened multiple locks. You could now lock everything from gates to safes with a single key! It was a game changer for such places as factories and storage units.
The Chubb detector lock, invented by Charles Chubb in 1818, was one of the first locks to use a complex mechanism that prevented picking.
It was during the 18th century that America changed from importing door hardware and locks to manufacturing and exporting the same.
Due to mass production padlocks became cheaper, but this also mean’s they became easier to pick.
In the 20th century, padlocks really found their stride. From securing school lockers to securing bikes, these little wonders became an everyday essential.
They even evolved to include combination locks, eliminating the need for keys entirely, which means no more frantic digging through your pockets or purse when you’re late to your next class.
Apparently the first single-dial combination lock that would go on to be sold to the general public was patented by John Junkunc of the American Lock Company in 1910. However basic combination locks were around a lot earler.
Then in 1919 Harry Soref developed a padlock made of layers of laminated steel for use by the armed forces during World War I.
The development of new technologies, such as the lever tumbler lock and the combination lock, offered new ways to secure valuables and protect property.
In the 20th century, locks continued to evolve, incorporating new materials, electronics, and biometrics. Today, there are locks that can be controlled remotely, using a smartphone app, and locks that can be opened with a fingerprint or facial recognition.
One of the most advanced security systems is the so-called "smart lock", which uses algorithms and machine learning to detect unusual activity and alert the owner. Smart locks can also be integrated with other smart home devices, such as cameras and alarms, to provide a comprehensive security solution.
And let’s not forget the ones you control with your phone?
It’s like the padlock evolved into a fancy, Wi-Fi-connected, tech-savvy device.
But no matter how advanced we get, the old-school, clunky padlock still brings a certain charm and a sense of security that no app can replicate.
Before we wrap up let’s take a timeline look at some significant changes in lock / padlock technology over the last few centuries.
1778
Robert Barron made the first serious attempt to improve the security of the lock was made iin England. He patented a double-acting tumbler lock.
1784
Joseph Bramah patented the safety lock which was considered unpickable. He went on to create a Hydrostatic Machine, a beer-pump, the four-cock, a quill-sharpener, a working planer, and more. Pretty clever inventor!
1805
The earliest patent for a double-acting pin tumbler lock was granted to American physician Abraham O. Stansbury in England.
1848
Linus Yale, Sr. invented the modern version of Abraham O. Stanbury lock. Yale’s lock is, still in use today.
However, other famous locksmiths patented their lock designed before and after Linus.Linus Yale, Sr. in 1848.
1857
James Sargent invented the world's first successful key-changeable combination lock. His lock became popular with safe manufacturers and the United States Treasury Department. In 1873, Sargent patented a time lock mechanism that became the prototype of those being used in contemporary bank vaults.
1861
Linus Yale Jr. (Linus Yale Snr’s son) was a mechanical engineer and lock manufacturer who patented a cylinder pin-tumbler lock in 1861.
1862
Linus Yale Jr. invented the modern combination lock.
1916
Samuel Segal (former New York City policeman) invented the first jimmy proof locks in 1916. Segal holds over twenty-five patents.
1921
Harry Soref founded the Master Lock Company in 1921 and patented an improved padlock. In April 1924, he received a patent (U.S #1,490,987) for his new lock casing. Soref made a padlock that was both strong and cheap using a case constructed out of layers of metal, like the doors of a bank vault. He designed his padlock using laminated steel.
So there we have it!
Next time you’re faced with a padlock, remember: it’s not just a simple tool to keep your things safe—it’s a testament to human ingenuity, from ancient Mesopotamia to the industrial revolution and beyond.
