Antiquity: bolts, pin locks and the first keys
In Egypt and Rome, the earliest pin tumbler locks and bolts emerged. Keys, first in wood then metal, secured chests, temple doors and workshops. These simple mechanisms laid the groundwork for barrels/cylinders and lever systems that inspired medieval locksmithing.
Middle Ages: metalwork artistry and fortified chests
Master locksmiths refined lever boxes, multiplied anti-pick traps, and embellished keys. Mechanical security progressed; doors were reinforced with plates and angles/straps, foreshadowing modern door reinforcement.
Renaissance: precision and refinement
European workshops developed intricate keys, pump locks, and early combination mechanisms. The locksmith’s trade blended machining, metallurgy and engraving, with an increasing focus on resistance to break-ins.
Industrial Revolution: standardisation and cylinders
Mass production brought European cylinders, standardised pin tumbler barrels and the first standards. Front doors adopted more reliable mortise locks, while cities invested in safes and security locks with multipoint systems.
20th–21st centuries: multipoint, A2P, access control
Homes embraced the 3-point lock (and 5, 7 points), protected cylinders (anti-drill/anti-pick), ownership cards and A2P certification. Today, armoured doors, hardened escutcheons, security handles and access control (badges, keypads, smart locks) complete the toolkit. For emergency service, a 24/7 locksmith prioritises non-destructive opening (shim/by-pass) and uses drilling or extraction of the cylinder only as a last resort, with a clear quote.
Choosing the right lock and securing your door
- Use: flat, house, business, cellar, gate.
- Risk level: ground floor, street access, high-risk area.
- Type: European cylinder, multipoint, rim lock, mortise lock.
- Protection: anti-drill, anti-pull, anti-snap, ownership card.
- Convenience: reversible key, master keying, access control.
Need tailored advice, a door opening or a cylinder replacement in Maisons-Laffitte and nearby (78)? Request a free quote.
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