Locks were one of the earliest complex mechanical devices. They are ubiquitous, yet remain very regional in concept. In this talk we’ll explore the process of inventing a lock. We’ll cover examples from around the world, some that persist to this day, some that failed before coming to market, and some that were , until recently, lost to history.
Schuyler Towne is obsessed with locks. While he got his start picking locks competitively, his interest has since exploded into every aspect of their history, design and manipulation. He’s taught hackers, authors, cops and even toy designers. There is nothing Schuyler loves more than to talk locks with anyone who will listen. His interests in the history of physical security and design of locks provides a passionate background to his lectures and workshops on lockpicking. Currently he is attempting to recover lock patents lost in the 1836 patent office fire.