When was the lock invented?

Question

And how did people secure stuff before then?

Answer 1

It is believed that primitive (door) locks originated in Iraq or Egypt around 1000 BC. These were simple devices that allowed a door to be barred from within (see the decription from Chubb below). However, these devices offered no key or other means of opening the lock from outside the building.

Here is a quote from Chubb Locks (UK) "History of Locks": -
"Cords and ropes were used in various ways to fasten doors and for other measures of security. The Gordian knot comes to mind. Then there was the wooden latch on the inside face of a door which would be lifted or drawn back from the outside by a cord passing through a hole in the door. To prevent opening from outside no more was needed than pulling in the cord."

It seems that wooden tumbler locks were in use in ancient Egypt (see illustration at http://www.nokey.com/ankeymus.html), but that Greeks invented keyed locks (that could be opened from outside the building) around 400 BC.

Prior to the invention of locks, to secure valuables within a building it was necessary to guard them (with men or dogs, etc.).

But guards could be bribed and dogs could be killed or seduced with poisoned meat. That is why valuables were often hidden in caves or simply buried underground.

Answer 2

A long time ago in a land far far away, they were using locks. See the URL below and read all about it. Good lock !!!!

Answer 3

locks have been around for centuries ,the early greeks had locks,before that the rich people had guards or viscious dogs to protect their property

Answer 4

tHEYLL TRY AND TELL YOU JESUS INVENTED THE FIRST LOCK DONT BELIEVE IT BUT IT WAS DONE A LONG TIME AGO THEY WHERE MADE OUT OF WOOD AND ONE WOULD HALF TO STICK A GIANT KEY BEHIND THE DOOR TO LIFT UP SOME WOODEN PINS

Answer 5

When someone has their stuff stolen.