The foundations of the lock technology we still use today – with some modifications – were laid in ancient times.
We owe a debt of gratitude to the Roman engineers who first designed and built functional metal locks. They developed bolts, wards, shackles, lock cases and keys. But none of this would have worked without springs. That one ingenious detail became the key not only to mechanical locks, but to much of technology as a whole.
Not until the 16th century did people begin considering new lock concepts and designing new locks. It started in several locations in Austria and southern Germany, including Nuremburg and Augsburg. In the 18th century, Britain took the lead, and the city of Willenhall became a capital of lock and key manufacture. In the early 19th century, a German counterpart developed: the city of Velbert.
In Sweden, King Gustav Vasa and his son Duke Karl planned and initiated manufacturing that led to a whole city of technical workshops by the rapids in Tunafors and Torshälla. It wasn’t long before the areas known as Carl Gustafs Stad were also incorporated. These communities were largely populated by smiths and soldiers called in from Germany and Livonia. Eskilstuna, as the town came to be called, was the town of blacksmiths and ironworkers. The goods reached the market through what was known as the putting-out system.
Today’s locks and security solutions
Welcome to ASSA ABLOY’s product pages for more information about today’s locks, access control, mobile keys with NFC, door automatics and more. In the ASSA ABLOY solution pages you can experience lock and security solutions for any door opening.