History of Locks and Keys
Wooden locks and keys were in use as early as 4,000 years ago in Egypt. It is also said that the key was invented by Theodore of Samos in the 6th century BC.
In the United States, keys have been seen as a symbol of power since colonial times. When William Penn arrived in Delaware 1682, a very elaborate ceremony was carried out where he was given the key to the defense works.
Flat metal keys proliferated in the early 20th century, following the introduction of mechanical key duplicators, which allow easy duplication of such keys.
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Famous quotes containing the words history of, history, locks and/or keys:
“If usually the “present age” is no very long time, still, at our pleasure, or in the service of some such unity of meaning as the history of civilization, or the study of geology, may suggest, we may conceive the present as extending over many centuries, or over a hundred thousand years.”
—Josiah Royce (1855–1916)
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—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“Many a kiss, both odd and even;
Many a glance, too, has been sent
From out the eye, love’s firmament;
Many a jest told of the keys betraying
This night, and locks picked; yet we’re not a-Maying!”
—Robert Herrick (1591–1674)
“McCoy: That shark’s been following us ever since the surgeon died, waiting for the burial. Couldn’t I have a musket to shoot it, sir?
Fletcher Christian: Take the deck, McCoy. I’ll get the keys to the arms chest.
McCoy: Get two muskets, sir. I’d like to shoot that shark on board.”
—Talbot Jennings (1896–1985)