Locks have been in use for over 6000 years, with one early example discovered in the ruins of Nineveh, the capital of ancient Assyria. Locks such as this were developed into the Egyptian wooden pin lock, which consisted of a bolt, door fixture or attachment, and key.
Before door knobs and handles were invented, people used a bolt or a lock to keep a door shut. Only the wealthy could afford a lock and key. Most people used a latch-string, which involved making a small hole in a door and threading a leather thong or string through, which was then looped around a wooden bar.
It consisted of the wooden post that was affixed to the door, and a horizontal bolt that slid into the post. This bolt had set of openings which were filled with pins. Specially designed large and heavy wooden key was shaped like modern toothbrush with pegs that corresponded to the holes and pins in the lock.
Development of locks in the 1800's
1818 – Jeremiah Chubb invented the high security internal lock system. 1848 – Linus Yale, Sr. invented the first pin tumbler lock. 1857 – James Sargent invented the first combination lock.
Yes, they did. But obviously not all the time! The most common “lock” was simply a door bolt on the inside of the door, with a hole and a curtain. Since this held the door closed against the weather rather well, and stopped the pig and toddlers escaping, so it was very useful.
Along with simple latches, rim locks or box locks that mount onto the surface of the door were the primary locks seen on houses from the early 18th century to about 1850. Before a lock industry fully developed in America, many such locks were imported from England.
Invention of the lock and key has been attributed to many cultures, but their origin is still unresolved. Despite when and where the lock and key were developed, the Vikings of Gotland and the rest of Scandinavia found use for them in their everyday life, as well as in the afterlife.
The earliest houses in the colonies used simple latches made of wood. A string, or piece of leather, passed through a hole in the door to allow operation from the other side. The string could be pulled in at night to “lock” the door. Image source: Old American Houses 1700 – 1850 by Henry Lionel Williams and Ottalie K.
In the days when houses had servants it was possible to lock off rooms that weren't in use or to maintain privacy when required. Modern houses tend not to have them as they result in damage to the doors in the event of a burglary and may impede escape in the event of a fire.
Most historians agree that the oldest lock was found among the ruins of a palace in the Near East around 930 BC. Famously labeled as the first-ever tumbler lock, the device went from Egypt to Greece and Rome and was even found in ruins across the Middle East and Europe.
Door knob heights during this time were often based on the average height of the people who lived in the house, and since people were generally shorter in the 19th and early 20th centuries, door knobs were typically lower to the ground.
Ancient Romans also used wooden pin tumbler door locks alongside the metal ones. A wooden or metal key was inserted through a slit in the door to lift the metal pin tumblers and the key was then used to pull the bolt to the side. Sketch by the author. Wooden pull lock with anchor-shaped metal key.
The first key
Egyptian locking (wooden) was first used 4,000 years ago, and what is fascinating is that the principle of their invention is still used for today's mechanical locking devices. The wooden peg key was recorded at 14 inches long for doors and if the lock was on a main gate the key could be 30 inches long.
In Regency England functioning doorknobs had not yet been invented. The doors were opened and closed on latches, bolts, or locks. The large round knob was merely for the convenience of the person opening or closing the door, to grasp and push or pull,. Therefore there was no inconvenience or expense involved.
The knob at the door's midpoint provides more security, with a crossbar stretched across its width for even more reinforcing support. A central knob also presents a more straightforward installation for latching technology, which is beneficial for keeping doors shut.
Early history.
Possibly 4,000 years old, it is of the type known as a pin tumbler or, from its widespread use in Egypt, an Egyptian lock. It consists of a large wooden bolt, which secures the door, through which is pierced a slot with several holes in its upper surface.
To Prevent Other Break-ins
Leaving your door unlocked overnight can potentially give access to those wishing to do more than steal things. So, it's very important that you not only make sure your door is locked at night, but also adding some extra security to your door, such as a door chain.
Many second front doors on homes, particularly Bungalows, lead from the front porch to the master bedroom. This way, couples could open the windows and doors, turn on a couple fans and enjoy a cooling breeze. This design was kind of a poor mans sleeping porch.
Basements built in California are often below sea level, so extra measures must be taken to prevent flooding and other water-related issues. Most contractors working in California try to reduce expenses wherever possible, and excluding basements from homes fulfills this goal.
If your 18th-century neighbor had one front door, why shouldn't you have two? According to The Spruce, double front doors were a sign that a home had multiple rooms, which was a sign of wealth. Think about windows or garage doors on today's homes—sure, it's all about status and curb appeal.
In the Victorian era, doors were generally panelled and elaborately carved, they would be surrounded by a door frame with imposing architrave to match the door, sometimes carved and then painted or grained to appear more expensive.
Metal keys are clearly used in Medieval society (front gates of fortifications, castles, etc.); the proliferation of the flat metal keys we are familiar with occurred in the 20th century with the invention of a duplication device.
The end of the Vikings occurred when the Northmen stopped raiding. A better question to ask is: why did the Vikings stop raiding? The simple answer is that changes took place in European societies that made raiding less profitable and less desirable.
Viking Household Items
Beds were most likely lined with straw and animal skin. However, some historians believe that the Vikings actually slept sitting up with their backs against the wall given the limited and confined space that was available on the benches.
The Viking presence in England was finally ended in 1066 when an English army under King Harold defeated the last great Viking king, Harald Hardrada of Norway, at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, near York.